Nightglow Window

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping
a present and not giving it.
--William Arthur Ward

Being granted a fresh perspective makes all the difference in the world, and helps feed the soul.

It's easy to get down in the dumps and stay there, stuck in the riptide that is everyday life. It's hard sometimes to come up for a breath of air and look at the sunset when it feels like you're dog-paddling across an ocean.

But, man, do you miss a lot if you never even try.

We went to Chart House in Cardiff last night with my Dad for Sydney's Birthday (going to that restaurant for her birthday has become something of a tradition). Driving down with my Dad made me appreciate where I live even more than normal. Seeing things through his eyes changed everything.

It is incredible to hug the coast on PCH, watch the surfers and the waves and the beauty that's the ocean.

But it's also really easy to take things for granted.

Dinner was incredible. We stuffed ourselves silly and the sun went down in the ocean in a glorious blaze of color and light and shadow. It was great to spend time with Dad as well. I'm really lucky he lives so close. And I should show my gratitude for him more often and in a clearer way.

So that's going to be my goal this week, to thank the people who have been friends and important to me, the people who put up with my BS and give me a fresh perspective. Because it's so easy to take things for granted and neglect to say thanks.