I have to confess that I haven’t been feeling like my usual myself lately, but I can’t put my finger on what’s wrong, or what the source is.

We’ve all been there. (Haven’t we?)

I remember one time, when I was 21 and was working at ACP Towers, when I had been feeling the same way then like I’m feeling lately. Then, one day, when walking the fire stairs between level 6 and level 8 (hard to forget when you walked those stairs 100 times a day), I remember saying to myself “STFU and get over yourself”. And suddenly I felt better.

The power of thought, huh?

The same level of eloquent inner monologue hasn’t worked as well 11 years later, but these days I have a stronger understanding of perspective and that always helps.

I’m still smiling.

Especially since Wednesday night when the three L’s made a visit to see two very special girls while they were in Sydney. And I am so. glad. that we went.

There was some scheming planning involved; sneaky tweets and emails sussing out what treats to buy and whatnot. I admit to being nervous about it, because I hate hospitals at the best of times, and I’d never been to a children’s hospital before.

Seeing an ambulance trolley bed with a baby seat strapped to it is something I won’t forget easily.

But that night was one of the most uplifting and affirming experiences of my life. To peek into the life of a little girl who has experienced so much more than I have in my almost-33 years. And she’s smiling.

I’m so grateful that I have friends who make me laugh. Friends who meet me in carparks in the dark to make gift baskets full of colouring books and chocolate and chips and a pink smiley balloon. Friends who understand. Friends who still love me even though we don’t get to see each other as much as we used to. Friends who know me all too well. Friends who share their lives with me so that we can learn and grow together.

It’s good to smile :)

This is an unintentionally-long post for this week’s Maxabella’s Grateful link up. It’s so cathartic, I highly recommend joining in xx