and I think to myself...

(via)

it's a wonderful world. In light of this week, everything seems sad, terrible, and hopeless. My thoughts and prayers are continually with Boston and West as I try to gather enough information to make sense of it all. Sense is not to be made,  but I believe there is good in people and there is wonder left in this world. 

Here are the moments that make life - people, places, and things- wonderful, the moments that I have to remember…

HopeMob :: Crowdfunding with Compassion  and one of the most active, effective, innovative community of generosity in the world.

Having dinner with your parents and realizing that not only do they know you better than anyone else; they love you, as no one else will.

Emoticon conversations.

The natural beauty that is right outside, waiting for us to appreciate.

Italian dreams that Pinterest keeps alive.

Waking up to text messages from someone you can’t stop thinking about and realizing they can’t stop thinking about you, either. (source)

Gathering your friends to sit/lie in the sun, drink mojitos and read magazines.

When people pay it forward in the Starbucks drive-thru.

Watching dogs play at the dog park with pure, carefree joy. 

Seeing an old married couple hold hands.

This overwhelming positivity in the wake of adversity.

Reconnecting with old friends and realizing how little has actually changed.

Hearing someone sing softly.

Knowing people survive cancer.

Leaving work and knowing you completed everything you could to the best of your ability.

Being recognized after executing a long, stressful project.

Writing exactly how you feel and what you mean, even just to clarify for yourself.

Phone calls that last well into the night (with theories, banter, and laughter).

Passing a rose bush in the park.

Watching a drummer keep perfect rhythm.

Dancing all night with or without a traditional dance floor.

Driving out of the office parking lot on a sunny, Friday afternoon.

Walking through the streets of New York, weaving through people, only to stop and read in Bryant Park.

Listening to new music on a solo road trip that explains exactly how you feel.

Being colloquial (and other beautiful words).

Lighting candles for a dinner party.

Finding the perfect wine and cheese combination.

Pad Thai, Jam Jar and Before Midnight.

Putting on the perfect pair of shoes, only to realize they are, in fact, still perfect.

Kind words left to a blog for a person they’ve never met.