I am currently sitting in one of my favorite places in the world-feeling the goodness of life.

A few things I am extremely grateful for…

• Being alive-how often do we actually take a moment and appreciate being ALIVE.

I am so lucky that I get to live this life, my life.

• Living somewhere that no matter where I travel to and what I see, I am always excited to come home.

المغرب

• The PEOPLE-the people in my life-worldwide. It is hard to believe that this little Spokane girl went international.
• The familyships, my sisters-the women I have met along the way who have become family.

May everyone meet people along their journey who become literally-family.

شكراً بزاف، أخواتي

The people that aren’t just passing through…

the ones that have left a permanent imprint on my heart.

The people that make my life happier.

شكراً على كلشي، الله يخليك ليا

• My teaching partners

Teaching is HARD. These people make it possible.

In the USA, Japan and Morocco-coworkers that have become my people…I was placed with random people to be partners with in the adventure of teaching. A teaching partner is defined as individuals that work alongside each other in the classroom…These people have become some of my dearest friends…People that I live alongside.

• Adventures-airplanes, trains, boats, taxis…

Especially…my own two feet.

Where life began

The most wondrous thing about family is that there are some things only we can understand. Our experiences together, the jokes and the storms we have weathered.

• Moroccan celebrations

May everyone experience a Moroccan wedding at least once in their life.

• Sunsets-I’ve also fallen in love with moonrises and moonsets.

What I love about the sun and the moon is the connection it gives us. When I am saying goodbye to the sun others are just saying hello to it. We are wishing on the same stars, gazing at the same moon.

While the sun is setting for me, it is rising for my family. I find comfort in this. It reminds me that we are one.

• The ocean&sea-The Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Mediterranean&Tyrrhenian Sea…and the rest I have yet to see. Yet another way we are all connected.

• Animals-they make the world a better place. Pure and limitless love.

• Growing up in the 90’s & 2000’s.

We were LUCKY to live in a generation where technology was gearing up but not taking over. Having to record songs on the radio, watch commercials, take your change to the Coinstar. Lemonade stands and rollerblading. Tree houses and neighborhood hide and seek.

• The love of my life

شكراً بزاف، يا حياتي

I traveled the world to discover the love of a lifetime. Never did I dream that I’d meet someone that I share such a mutual love for life, the world, people, and the magic of being.

I knew I would never settle & now I know why.

I’ve learned that while looking out at the view- sometimes the view is right here-We are the view.

I haven’t shared as much of my life or my people with you since I moved to Morocco. I’ve been grappling with the mystery of…when you have a treasure-should you share it with the world or keep it private?

So, I’m living Ma’Roccan (my-rocking, get it??) life and I hope you are too.

While I am often in awe of my own life, don’t forget that your life is magical too. I have a superpower of finding the happy in every crack in the sidewalk. Become an expert in identifying magic (rainbows, butterflies, the moon, stars, sun, airplanes, hugs, new socks, a new song, AN old song, birds chirping, a hot shower, a COLD shower, sun dried laundry or machine dried, a good sleep, waking up, the feeling of laying in bed with nowhere to go but to sleep..). Pretend it is your first time driving or brushing your teeth. How silly would it feel to be brushing your teeth for the first time?! See and feel things for the first time again and you will be surprised how quick excitement and joy floods your life.

Once you become an expert in noticing everyday magic, magic in the mundane, living happier becomes the baseline.

To living happier

illies