1. The knowledge that the world is infinitely bigger than we think it is (or The People of the Interwebs).
2. A man with neither arms nor legs creating his own happiness and finding reason to laugh (even on public transportation).
3. Support from Laura Munson.
4. A friend with cancer, who has fought valliantly while maintaining her sense of humor and creating beauty.
5. Cary Tennis, who has fought cancer and alcoholism and who offers assistance to those he doesn't know on a daily basis.
6. Someone tells me, unprompted, that we create our own happiness.
7. A perfectly cool morning.
8. A perfectly warm cup of coffee.
9. The knowledge that, if the universe can create precious and innocent new babies, I will be okay.
10. Old friends, who love us in spite of our weaknesses.
11. He Who Is In Personal Crisis asked to see me and let me in.
12. A real life angel in the form of a friend, who never left my side over the 4th of July weekend.
13. The advice of Cary Tennis: "Accept that controlling the future would require magic, which doesn't exist. Snap out of it!"
14. The words of (fairly crazy) John Mayer: "Today I finally overcame tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame."
15. I have a roadmap that tells me how to navigate this, because somebody else (Laura Munson) has been through this.
16. All kinds of affirmation -- in all forms, and always unexpected.
17. My readers, who walk this road with me.
18. A friend offers her support at any time of the night.
19. As I walk past a homeless man en route to the office, the realization that each of us has our own struggles/demons.
20. The innocence of children and the precious role of caretaker, displayed as father and son ride by on one bike.
21. Good Grief by Granger E. Westberg.
22. The healing power of travel.
23. The understanding that "I cannot do a thing to control the future of this story" (Laura Munson).
24. The gift of clarity and inspiration: I am a writer.
25. Being sick.
26. Life on the Line by Grant Achatz.
27. The double-edged sword of progress.
28. The understanding that "flexbility and grace" will see me through this (Cary Tennis).
29. I'm not alone in this, because "we all fall down" (Diamond Rio).
30. "This could really be a good life" (OneRepublic).
31. The decision to confront rather than ignore homelessness.
32. Welcome distractions.
33. Serving dinner to the homeless: no one was embittered, everyone was gracious, and there were far too many children.
34. This is no longer theoretical. I see the benefits of and deeply believe in it.
35. The end of the week (or the week-end, as it were).
36. Warrior of Hope #1: Nelson Mandela.
37. Warrior of Hope #2: MLK, Jr.
38. Warrior of Hope #3: Taylor Swift.
39. The gift of understanding in the form of research.
Feel free to share your own in the Comments section.
-Me