The both-and-ness; lots of disparate things coming together in ways that many people think are impossible, but still working, somehow, for me. From the classic bi-poly-switch stuff to Wicca and Episcopalianism to brain-centered work that still feels creative to me to the amazing, incredible, variety of wonderful friends from all over the map (literally and metaphorically) all of whom seem honestly to enjoy my company. I am, finally, having to learn that there are actually places where I have to choose, or at least choose-for-now, that I can't necessarily have it all all at the same time, but I have so much of so many different things and for me they all still somehow work -- !

(How's that for Monday-morning stream-of-consciousness?)

The joy I get from my nieces is indescribable and the unconditional love from my pets! <3

I've spent a lot of my adult life reacting to life -- feeling like I was barely keeping my head above the tide. Since I've gone back to school, I feel like that one wonderful choice has opened me up to see that I have other choices, that I can step back and look at how my life is chugging along and assess what is working better and what is not working so well. I feel more hopeful and more masterful -- and I love it.

The New York City subway system, and other metros that get me places and connect me to people and the world.

I really like it when people that I care about "get me". When they do the little things that tell me they understand and see me in all my smallness and bigness and love me.

Personally, I'm loving how clean I've been keeping the apartment. It feels satisfying to get home and see that things have been put where they belong, and to know that I did that. The naps amid still-warm laundry are delicious.

Interpersonally, I've been loving feeling really accepted by two newer friends, and feeling like I'm part of a little trio. It's fun to go away for a couple of days, and come back to an e-mail reading "We miss you! Let's dance!"

Romantically, I've been loving the opportunity to explore a new person's body. He's so unfamiliar and new. "Where can I kiss to get him to make noises?" is a game for the ages.

Familially, I'm loving Chris' two younger brothers, and their sweet enthusiasm for me whenever I visit. I asked his middle brother to send me his resume so I could look it over and give him feedback, and he sent it to me last night with the note "Miss you already."

The people close to me in my life have stayed close. They have been there through ups and downs, wealth and poverty, illness and good health, fear, defeat and triumph (and all that other stuff). It's the closest I've felt to being unconditionally loved, and I feel the same way about them. There is something so very comforting about being known so well and loved so deeply. (There are a couple of other people in that picture, just out of frame.)

I love the fact that I am not afraid to try new things at least once. And that the new things mostly involve traveling to places where people don't speak my language and taking the paths that are less travelled to discover priceless treasures in hidden places. Sometimes these treasures are the people I meet, sometimes these treasures are family recipes for various meals/preserves/alchoholic drinks, and sometimes it's just a vista that no one but the locals know about, secluded and peaceful.

Sometimes to travel to new places means stepping to the left as I walk outside my door instead of to the right. It's all about being open and non-judgemental.

How can I pick one thing?

I love the fact that I'm back at school learning how to do what I was supposed to be doing all along.

I love my family and how we care for each other.

I love my friends, my tribe, my peeps.

I love the city I live in, small and friendly and easily walkable.

I love the Intertubes, and the larger community they have brought me.

I love music and reading, and the joy they bring me.

I love to laugh.

I love my life.

1) That I am alive.
2) That I feel all passions keenly.
3) That I can and am loved.
4) That I can live the way that makes me happiest, a great enormous gift.

You don't need to write me a poem, though I would love it. I just liked the idea of responding to this post!

I love the way my DW is so supportive of me - not only in the goals I set - but in the times when I am struggling in myself. Even though I've struggled in exactly the same way seemingly uncountable times before.

The love of my friends, both far and near.

I am awed by your acceptance and delight in your body. I wish I knew how to get there, because I want to feel joy in my body instead of revulsion. There are parts of me I love: my clever and quick-learning hands, how strong I am and how far I can walk when I need to, my clear skin... but the bulges and rolls and droopy bits and thick neck and so on... just look so awful to me.

What a sweet offer... you're taking your new LJ name quite seriously, aren't you?!

Carol

hey, serene, i want in on this fun. what i love about my life right now is how friends turned up in a place where i had more or less abandoned them. it makes me wonder about what sort of friends will turn up for me someday in the place that i had abandoned my old friends for, when i return to the place where my new friends are that i'm abandoning for my old friends now.

Crickets that sing me to sleep on hot summer nights; birds that sing me awake on cool summer mornings. Neighborliness. Self-determination.

Thank you for this chance.

My mothers. Who have stood by me no matter what. Who have let me make my own decisions even when they were bad ones. Who made the time and listened to me cry down the phone no matter what they were doing. Who raised me to stand up and face the hard things and reminded me that I was strong enough to do what needs to be done.

Quotidian pleasures: fluffy clouds in a blue sky. The moon peeking over the horizon. soft touchable yarn. Momma-hugs.

Even though I'm 50, my relationship with teeebone is the very first healthy primary relationship I've ever had. (These posts will help refresh your memory, if you need it.)

Anyway, I can't wait to see what you write about that. Thanks in advance!

I love my animals, my husband, and even when he's a pill, my kid :)

I loooooove discovering new passions and abilities even though I'm getting all old and stuff. This summer I discoverd Emily Dickinson.

i love that i found love and unconditional support when i had accepted that i would not have it in my life -- that i was destined to be the "cat lady". and with this love from ian (aka the boy) i am slowly learning to love myself (we're at like most of the time.. but beats the former thoughts).

Things I love about my life:

having found a partner I'm sure about in every fibre of my being.
riding my bike on cool summer evenings
the knowledge that I will be moving to a foreign country after I graduate
petting my cats
all the good conversations with friends
my books and the library
being in school and feeling like a schoolgirl at age 30
how sometimes limiting myself leads me to appreciate all the small things around me

i chose to think of things that i love that are a part of every day.

* riding my trike
* lying in my hammock
* helping people heal themselves
* spending time with my love