By: Katherine Itacy, Esq.
Dated: April 25, 2019
Wow. Things have been busy for the last few months!
Yvens and I have been slowly moving into our beautiful new home:
During which time I’ve encountered some….unwelcome guests:
(That’s what I found at the bottom of the fridge as I was cleaning. Absolutely disgusting.)
I’ve had to travel for a continuing legal education (CLE) conference, and went to my first ever writer’s conference.
My health has really been suffering because of all of this, and I’ve had to find all new specialists in Detroit after having moved here from Rhode Island, requiring me to undergo a whole host of new, painful tests.
But despite how physically draining the last few months have been, I woke up this morning, the first morning after having officially moved into our new home, and I was hit by a fierce wave of peace and gratitude.
I describe my first encounter with a true moment of peace in my upcoming memoir, From National Champion To Physically Disabled Activist: My Lifelong Struggles With A Diseased Body, And The Lessons It Has Taught Me Along The Way, which is now set to be published by WiDo Publishing!
For anyone who has yet to experience such a moment, I can only explain it as euphoric. I’ve (thankfully) had a lot of moments of happiness, even bliss, but they really can’t compare to a moment of true peace and gratitude. It’s as if all is right with the world; like every tiny, simple good thing going on for you have joined forces and pushed their way up to the surface, blocking out all of your struggles or worries.
There’s a stillness in the air — almost as if you’re Zack Morris, freezing time:
(Kids, if you don’t get the reference, ask your parents)
The moments will pass quickly, but will leave you with a lasting happiness in the hours and days that follow. And they’ll be there for you to conjure up, whenever you’re feeling stressed or tired.
Now, I’m not completely self-obsessed. I’m very aware of all of the horrible and troubling things going on in the world. I know just how much work we have to help better our planet.
But sometimes, you just need to sit back and count your blessings, and I’m not talking about once a year, while you’re sitting around the Thanksgiving table.
I might have had to endure forty-nine surgeries and medical procedures over a thirty-year period, go through a shitty marriage and an even shittier divorce, and lose the ability to continue practicing criminal defense (which I’d believed was my true calling in life), but ever since I’ve become disabled, I have learned and implemented the incredibly effective practice of recognizing moments of gratitude.
I don’t wait until the beginning or ending of each day (which, if you’re busy, may be the best way for you to start) — I stay aware throughout the day as to what I can be thankful for. And I honestly believe that that leaves me more open to these rare, euphoric moments of peace.
Non-humble brag, but I have to express gratitude right now for the fact that I have an upcoming article coming out in the Rhode Island Bar Journal; my book is set to be published, with the cover art done by an incredibly talented friend of mine; Yvens and I just moved into a beautiful new home in a wonderful neighborhood; I now have a beautiful new space to continue my writing (in addition to my new bedroom, where I’ll be spending most of my days and nights);
I am meeting wonderful new people from the greater Detroit area; I have incredible friends and family, who love me for exactly who I am, flaws and all; I, for now, still have possession of my mental faculties; and I have some exciting new projects in the works (the details of which will be coming soon!).
I am completely aware of just how blessed I am, and I couldn’t be more grateful for each and every positive thing I have in my life.
And I’m not trying to be obnoxious by posting this. I firstly wanted to express thanks for all of the wonderful things and people that surround me, and for all of the amazing things that are happening to me right now. But secondly, I wanted to try and express how easy it is to be grateful.
You don’t have to achieve all of your dreams or be rich to be happy. Recognize all of the good things you have in your life. Express gratitude for your life and everything in it. And please don’t wait until something life threatening happens to you or a loved one before doing so!
I promise you, as cheesy as it may sound, the more you appreciate your life, the more happiness and peace you will feel. Stop lusting after what you don’t have, and start taking note of what you do. You’ll realize how full your life already is. And you’ll leave yourself open to experiencing moments that will truly change your life.
_____________________________________________
As I’ve mentioned, publication of my memoir, From National Champion to Physically Disabled Activist: My Lifelong Struggles with a Diseased Body, and the Lessons it Has Taught Me Along the Way, is forthcoming.
Keep tuning in to this website, my social media accounts (i.e., my Instagram page, Tumblr page, Twitter page, Google+ page, and LinkedIn profile), as well as my podcast in order to learn more about when the memoir will be available for purchase!
Any questions or concerns, feedback or suggestions for future blog or podcast topics, you can always email me directly at contactkate@katherineitacy.com.
Katherine Itacy 
Great words to describe gratitude and the goodness that come from recognizing our blessings. Keep doing good Kate and never feel guilty for enjoying good, you totally deserve it and more goodness.
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Thank you so much, Lynne!
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