I’ve been thinking a lot about connections lately and the algorithm picked up on that and decided to send me this quote recently:

I am thankful to have many people in my life that exemplify this definition. They are life-long friends, family, partners, colleagues, new connections, and loved ones who know me inside and out.

Almost two years ago, I stopped drinking completely. I was tired of feeling bad and something tugged at me to look at my drinking as one of the reasons for that. In true Amanda Storey style, I decided to just do everything all at once. I started following a strict diet plan and eliminated pretty much every kind of liquid (except for the 100 ounces of water I ingested daily) for months and months and months (8 to be exact).  I gained a clarity I didn’t know was missing. You get very clear on things when you aren’t busy looking for other ways to fill you up.

The clarity opened my heart and mind up to new things – new experiences – new people – new parts of me. It is/was exhilarating and scary. It is/was filled with certainty and uncertainty. It left me wide open to the world.

One of those connections was Maria Popova and her website, “The Marginalian.” It is as if Maria was hand delivered to my heart. I can’t even really explain the depths of her connection to me and my heart and my mind in this phase of my journey right now. I am fine with the wonder of it all. I mean, I think am.

When your heart is wide open though, you can get disappointed. You can get taken for granted. You can scare others. You can also leave everything on the field (isn’t that what they say in the sportsball world?). I do feel like I’ve left a lot on the field. I used to feel depleted by this, but I’m practicing the true and deep art of grace, vulnerability, and wrapping my arms around myself when I’m feeling a little bruised.

And then I thought about connections and Maria Popova arrived like she always does in my inbox to soothe, acknowledge, and see me. By sharing, she makes me feel less alone in my big feelings. By sharing, she helps me connect with others. By sharing, she provides a space for us all to be seen in the ways we most need to be seen at just the right moments. Here’s a link to her website: https://www.themarginalian.org/

And so today I am thankful for Maria Popova and the way she quiets my fears, acknowledges my pain and joy, and writes about the truth of life. It’s hard to find people like this and for whatever reason, I found her at the exact right time.

I am also thankful for all of my many wonderful connections and the way I continually learn from them.