By Toni Giacoletto — 16 Mar 2025

my tortillas are neat

A few weeks back, I’m in another dreamscape, this time it’s a work/organization situation. I’m around a table with colleagues and we’re doing an icebreaker/warm-up. It’s a mash-up of rose/bud/thorn and “crabs are…” (I can’t find absolutely anything about this one on the internet but if Catrina is reading this, please share with me where this originates!).

In this mash-up, folks go around the table and share something they are grateful for or that is going well, and before they state it, they say the phrase “My tortillas are neat…”

Here’s an example from me for today:

“My tortillas are neat and I picked up some great books at the library.”
“My tortillas are neat and I had mango lassi today.”
“My tortillas are neat and I don’t have to work tomorrow.”

I shared this dream with a few friends and we swan dove right into this:

Text message that reads "My tortillas are neat and I found a dairy free hazelnut spread at the Asian supermarket that wasn't crazy expensive. My tortillas are neat and I made cold brew and cherry vanilla syrup for coffees this week." — *Great set of neat tortillas*

Two text messages, the first reads "My tortillas are neat and I got to spend time with an amazing friend who brings happiness and light to my life when I need it most." And the second text reads, "Did I do it right??" — *100%*

One of my friends was trying to identify the bud and thorn equivalent. For thorn, we landed on “my tortillas are messy” (also just realized today "my tortillas are burnt" would work great, too). This felt good and accurate. For bud, I toyed with “my tortillas are baking” but I’m open to other ideas.

I’ve jotted my gratitude list inconsistently for the past seven years across journals and iPhone notes with the goal being not putting lofty things like “family” (Sid, my dog, is family but doesn’t count as lofty), and instead trying to zero in on those smaller bits that we sometimes step over.

iPhone note that reads "Gratitude" at the top and a list that says, "Grateful for open seats in coffee shops, For Sid, For being able to calm my emotional responses, For podcasts, For nail stickers" — *Still grateful for all these things*

My tortillas are neat has been a delightful spin on a practice that continually reminds me of the tiniest joy nuggets even in the midst of the swirl. The stuff that’s the fuel, the anchor. A bit of reflection during a short pause. A practice that strengthens my self-connection and compassion and my relationships.

Text message that reads "My tortillas are neat and Sid slept in bed with us last night" — *Forever pining for Sid’s affection*

The world is on fire right now but I am more rooted than ever in some beautiful friendships and framilyships (this isn’t a typo – that’s “framily” “ships”) and experiences. I know it’s all the mutual love and intention and respect put into these relationships, and I know for myself, I’m always looking for ways to ensure I’m showing my gratitude, remembering who’s in my corner, how supported I am, how lucky I am, and how much sheer love is bursting out of all these humans and creatures I know from all over. These neat tortillas – or gratitude journals, or prayers, or any number of ways we express thanks – has helped me plug into that.

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