I was born an eternally optimistic person thanks to my Dad's genes.  I have had a lot of people over the years tell me that I need to become more of a realist, however I have always discarded their advice.  I am more than happy to live life always thinking that the best is going to happen!

So, having said all that, and especially since negativity seems to be all too pervasive as of late due to the dire economy, I am going to reflect on the things that happened to me this week in which I should be grateful for.

1) Tonight I attended a Skirt! After Work event that was in honor of Planned Parenthood.  Wanting to support the amazing organization in any way possible, I grabbed my bestie as my date and headed over there.  We each bought some raffle tickets and enjoyed the swanky lounge it was being held in.  After a while they started the raffle and to my surprise I actually won!  Not only did I win, but my prize was a $100 gift certificate to Donald Haack Diamonds and Fine Gems.  Donating to charity AND diamonds in one night--it does not get much better than that!  Diamonds are definitely a girl's best friend. 

2) I am a Chinese Medicine practitioner and being able to heal people is such a gift to my soul.  A couple of days ago, a patient whom I have been treating for a while brought me a bottle of red wine to thank me for helping her with her pain.  It was a small present, but it meant the world! 

3) I think it is really important that I get involved with the blogging community now that I am a member and so I have been actively reading people's blogs.  I came across Misadventures with Andi and contacted her right away.  How synchronistic is it that we are both named Andi and both of our blogs are about adventure?  Anyway, it was such a delight to discover that she gave me a shout-out. 

Life is always filled with ups and downs, or the yin and the yang as we Chinese Medicine dorks like to say.  If we know this to be true, then why waste energy being negative?  We need to learn how to go with the flow and celebrate the ups when they do occur!  I am going to continue writing entries about the ups as they occur to remind myself and others that there is always something to be grateful for.