Three Positives a Day for Seven Days

It's happened. I've been nominated. You've likely seen this challenge spread all over Facebook, and if you're not an active user, it is essentially this: post/write down three positive things in your life that you're grateful for/appreciate each day for seven days. The point is to help one reflect, spread some love and positivity throughout Facebook, and simply to send more positive vibes out into the world. Well, now's the time for honesty. I hoped beyond all hope that no one would nominate me for this challenge. This isn't because I'm a grinch. This isn't because I'm not a positive person. This is because I am a deeply private person (this may be a shocker...not sure...) and throwing my private appreciations out there makes me feel like I'm standing naked in the middle of rush hour.

I want you all to know that I write in a journal almost daily, and not once does a day go by that I don't write a few things I am grateful for and appreciate. This challenge will be cake, but when it comes to the publicity of it, it's not so much cake anymore.

SO. I've decided to stretch this challenge a bit and bring it to this blog (which feels like a safe haven and offers a more permanent space to document such personal thoughts rather than the quick-passing Facebook newsfeed) where I will not only open myself up a bit more to my readers, but bring more attention and awareness to The Body Project. After all, I firmly believe that our minds and our spirits need to be loved and strengthened as much as our bodies. They belong to our body. This is a beautiful exercise in taking those first steps to truly loving yourself. The more appreciation you show the world, the more positive and healthy you'll start to feel.

Without further ado, here goes.

DAY ONE

First and foremost, I appreciate and deeply love my family with special mention to my hubby, mom, dad, and brother. They are, without a doubt, my biggest supporters in life and have never once made me feel like I couldn't do what I set out to do. They've let me rise and fall without judgement (maybe some nudges of I told you so's now and then ;P) and embrace who I am whole-heartedly. I love you all so much.

Second, I appreciate and deeply love my friends who bring so much color to my life (and the world!) it's ridiculous. You all constantly remind me how beautiful and crazy the world is and you bring me down from the clouds I often find myself sitting on.

Finally, I appreciate The Body Project. It has released so much within me and makes me smile on a daily basis to see how many women (and men!) it has touched. I love, beyond words, the women who've opened themselves up and allowed themselves to be vulnerable for this project. You all inspire and uplift me daily. The project feels like a solid foundation for which to build a new layer of my business. I am incredibly grateful to all involved and all who support us.

DAY TWO

 1. I am so so SO grateful to past, present, and future clients of my business, katy daixon photography, particularly those clients (and non-clients!) who've stuck by me through every step of the (likely awkward) way. You know who you are, and I hope you know how special you are to me. Without your constant support, appreciation, help, honesty, and willingness to share my work with others, I wouldn't be where I am right now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Truly.

2. I deeply appreciate and love Dr. John Hicks and his wife, Betsy, for leading me on a new path toward healing. For the first time in seven years, I feel like all will work out in the end. I have faith that I won't need to deal with chronic pain and physical irritations for the rest of my life. You may have also incidentally made me a foodie. ;) I am forever grateful to you and for what you put out into the world.

3. Beyond my immediate family and husband, I appreciate and love my additional siblings (Tiff, Ric, Roy, and Alex). All of you bring incredible humor to my life and have lifted me out of darkness more times than I can count. Your honesty, unconditional love (even though you don't have to be honest or love me! ;P), intelligence, and determination are beautiful. As my mom always says, "You're not an inlaw. You're an outlaw, because outlaws are wanted." <3

DAY THREE

Today was light-hearted. So my three positives will follow suit. ;)

1. I appreciate my cats something fierce. If I couldn't smoosh my face into their beautifully fluffy (Loki) and silky (Ziggy) hair, I don't know what I'd do to bring myself into the here and now. I am grateful for the conversations we have throughout the day (seriously) and for their adorable little faces putting a smile on my face every single day.

2. I appreciate kids' ability to be totally absurd and dorky with no fear of judgement. Today, I trekked down to Whitewater Lake to take photos of people hanging out on the beach for the Whitewater Tourism. As I took a photo from behind a mom watching her daughter play in the water, the daughter grabbed her mini-tube, slammed her body down on it, and posed with her arms and legs in the air. Lol! Then, as I was walking back to my car, I heard this conversation loud and clear:

Little girl: "Who was that lady you were talking to mom?"

Mom:, "A photographer. She's taking pictures for brochures and stuff."

Little girl: "So, I'm going to be in a magazine?!"

Ah...love it.

3. I appreciate the pleasure that comes from uninhibited dancing, especially the sways, jumps, booty shakin', dips, jerks, and fake ballerina moves one does while alone in their room. ;) It's glorious.

DAY FOUR

1. I appreciate so so much CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) that I signed up for through Regenerative Roots, located in Jefferson, WI, not only because the owners kick ass and love providing organically grown food to local people, but because the fruits and veggies are beyond delicious and make my body feel a thousand times better than many store bought items.

2. On that note, I ADORE and am grateful for fermented veggies. The amount of nutrition/probiotics packed into those veggie-filled mason jars on my pantry shelves and in my fridge have done amazing things to my digestive system. I am definitely moving in a healthy direction. Get recipes here and start fermenting. Seriously.

3. I love this weather. After so many days of stifling 80-90 degree humid heat, I am reminded of how much I love scarves, sweaters, and snuggling up next to my hubby. Oh yeah...and not sweating profusely. Both of us. ;)

DAY FIVE

1. I appreciate chocolate avocado pudding because I don't need to eat much to feel full and incredibly satisfied. For realsies. MAKE. IT. Recipe here.

2. I am truly grateful for the fact that I have time to do journaling and self-reflection in the morning. I can't even count how many times I have come to realizations about my mind, body, spirit, and life in that hour I spend alone with my thoughts.

3. I love video games. Seriously. If you want anything to take you out of your own head, go shoot stuff on your TV. ;)

DAY SIX

1. I appreciate sessions with kind-hearted, easy-going people. I love the way the sessions turn out and how natural the people are with each other and me.

2. I LOVE big mugs. They make me feel warm.

3. I am truly grateful for nights like tonight with beautiful late summer weather, my husband and his brother playing guitar and singing, while I write and read and breathe.

DAY SEVEN

This was technically due yesterday, but I was gone all day shooting a wedding, so today is just as good. ;)

1. I greatly appreciate the time my husband and I had today to purge our house of any excess. I seriously believe that cleansing your environment cleanses your mind.

2. I LOVE that gay marriage is accepted in Illinois because the two women I photographed yesterday with Capturing Photography so deserve to be married. They were an incredible couple with beautiful, happy families which made for incredible pictures all day. <3

3. I whole-heartedly appreciate this project, blog, my photography business, and the ability/chance to be creative every day. They all fulfill me so deeply I can't even imagine what I'd rather be doing. Life is awesome.

I challenge you ALL to write (OR say to yourself) a few positive things you're grateful for/appreciate every day for always. It truly is important for your health and the health of the world.

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