Hi There! Just here taking a few moments to realize I’m a speck of dust, floating on a sunbeam in the vastness of space. While I’m here on Earth…I just wanted to say I’m grateful for so much…this was a hard, emotional, tough, really long week, this first week of 2021. So I’m making an effort to stay grounded and grateful.
my gratitude list is long: *hugs from my 14-year old (and my 18-year old when he’s home from college!) *health care workers going in every day during a global pandemic trying to save lives *documentaries about dolphins & people like Sylvia Earle and David Attenborough *kind people who make the world better and brighter *the smell of candles, lotion, cookies baking in the oven *warm blankets and fireplaces *clean water *a fridge full of groceries *higher education for myself, my husband, my son(s) *hiking, and a body that is able to move *sunrises and sunsets *hot showers *music, books, photographs, art *the internet: answers, questions, recipes, connecting with friends, photographs and stories of places you haven’t been able to visit; it’s all at the tip of our fingers *flip flop tans, the sound of ocean waves, the salty air and sand between your toes *changing seasons and weather, but the sound of birds all year long *late night comedians who share information, but also create a much needed laugh *inventions like SCUBA equipment, space ships, bridges and vaccines *of course my health, home and job *and dreams, hope, love …
Count your blessings today and every day. Sometimes they are hard to find, at least for me, but there is always at least one thing/person/memory/future event … What are you thankful for today? If you’re having trouble thinking of something right now – take a nap or go to bed, at least that sometimes works for me, my mind is always clearer after some rest. So rest. And be grateful.
I have gratitude for this year. No anger. No hostility. No regrets. No more sadness.
I got to live on Earth for a little bit longer, and that’s what I’m grateful for. Life is short, I certainly don’t want to “forget 2020” or hurry up because “2021 can’t come soon enough.” It’ll be more of the same, which has become alright with me. I mean sure I have grieved my “old normal” life, and had the full range of emotions all year, just like all of us. I miss connecting in person. I’m infuriated for the depth of racial injustice we are still enduring. But overall, I’m okay with taking it slow, wearing masks and putting public health and all human rights on the top of our priorities. I love my children and husband, I’m grateful for my job and my home, and I’m honestly fine with “more of the same” for a bit longer if we need to … I am content in this weird new space.
Here are some favorite memories I’d like to document and tell the universe I’m grateful for:
*polar plunging into Lake Michigan to start the year *experienced the Lion King Sandburg musical *planned a successful Leap Day PTO fundraiser *watched #2 serve a volleyball at my husband’s school *cheered for #1’s indoor track season (and saw #1 dressed as a mattress! Ha) *saw the 10,000 maniacs at the City Winery (great date night!) *soaked up Big Head Todd @ The Vic *sipped coffee on the FRIENDS COUCH *enjoyed #2’s Star Wars trumpet solo *participated in the citizen’s police academy and went on a ride along in a police car *patronized a bunch of fun new local small business coffee shops *eavesdropped on #2 talking to Emmitt Smith and asking him a fun question *decorated, honked and cheered loudly at #1’s HS graduation parade *felt all the feels watching SGN and virtual prom *got to sit next to #1 on virtual signing day for the cross country team *planted new trees and flowers *made multiple posters and side walk chalk art for friends celebrations *soaked in a hot tub *swam in a pool *received a beautiful handmade Adirondack bench from my 3 boys *laid in a hammock *gave a bunch of free sub-par haircuts *got a new pet fish MARSHMALLOW *enjoyed s’mores by a bonfire *marched for Black Lives *enjoyed many cold beverages at a picnic bench with friends in the sun *went paddle-boarding!! ❤️ *went for a bike ride to see all the public art STARS with both of my children *worked on “remodeling” the garage *buried my feet in the sand *swam in Lake Michigan *went mask shopping (something I never knew I needed to do) *operated a hydraulic log splitter for the first time *sang along at a Garth Brooks Drive-In Concert *played at 5 different dog parks *rode on a boat and floated in a lake *cheered for #2 playing lacrosse, baseball, flag football, golf and running cross country *got lost in a maze of sunflowers *attended an outdoor Bat Mitzvah and brought the bouquet to an outdoor Wedding *multiple food trucks came to our neighborhood and my mouth watered! *meditated over 200 times *had lunch with #2 (so many more times than I would have if he wasn’t e-learning and I wasn’t working from home) *savored my first Tony Cannoli shake *celebrated 20-years of marriage by ordering takeout from the place where we first met *moved #1 into his dorm *played weekly volleyball with friends *bought a new dryer *voted twice (primary & general) *saw my sister get married!!! *appreciated many fun artist dates including self-publishing my 4th kindle book, photo adventures, photobooks, mural tour, writing, painting outside by the lake & a creating a fun homemade Christmas present journal *read over 200 books *listened to countless inspiring podcasts *went hiking through gorgeous forests *baked pumpkin seeds, cookies & bread *started a new-way-better-less-abusive-less-traumatic job in March, AND I get to wear yoga pants and a pony tail almost everyday, and my commute has been headache-free & I’m super thankful to still be employed.
A word is a melodic sound. A sound is a vibration. Vibrational tones create an energy that penetrates into your spirit, your soul, your heart.
This year, every time I see the word SUN in a book or observe a sunbeam shining down, I shall pause and be grateful.
Sunlight draws me in like gravity, it attracts my deep attention like love and time. The sun is my teacher. I will start each day with a sun salutation yoga stretch and meditation. I will thrive on a plant-based diet nourished by the sun.
I will patiently witness sunrises and sunsets, as everything is transient. We are all only here for such a short while. Our jobs, relationships, homes, and Earthly lives are all temporary. Watching a sunrise or sunset with your complete attention is prayerful, peaceful, meditative, restful, regenerative, musical, an act of love. It’s like having one foot on Earth and one in Heaven. You are mindfully present, but somehow open to the vastness of the universe.
sun is a word you can use as any part of grammar … like skunk. a skunk can be a noun defining an animal a verb describing why the dog smells terrible after being skunked or simply the smell we attribute to certain skunky beer.
I am a sun-chaser, like some people chase tornados, I chase sunrises and sunsets. I am solar-powered. I live a life of heliotropism: just pointing myself towards the SUN. I wake up early to collect sunrises in my heart and in my soul. I harness the sun’s energy, spirit and brightness. I borrow brilliance from the SUN and it makes me SHINE. The sun illuminates my brain, body, soul, spirit, I need the sunlight to survive. There lies the energy, warmth, glow, joy, majesty I crave.
Sunrises are the universes way to gift wrap this special day for you & me! I am always grateful for a new day, and it’s always a brilliant start when you rise before and intentionally watch the sunrise.
In the words of Cleo Wade “I find what I am looking for in the outside world by embodying it within me”. And that’s why SUN is my one little word; next year, if I can’t be the sun, I shall at least reflect the sunlight.
May every sunrise bring you hope; and every sunset bring you peace; this year and always. ❤
I can’t think of the word soar or soaring without including birds, flying, gliding along on the wind, equal parts careless and courageous.
I gifted a homemade journal to some girlfriends this Christmas and one of the prompts was “soar” and that’s really the only topic I assigned to them, that I haven’t explored myself this year… so here we are…
“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” ― Erin Hanson
soaring is explained perfectly in my favorite song:
smell the sea and feel the sky…let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic …
such a beautiful place to be, soaring free in the sky, appreciating the collective beauty, seeing fully that we are all connected, what is good for you must be good for me. one planet. soaring through space. together.
soar into the new year friends! Feel the sky. I wish you a safe and happy flight.
as we are living through a global pandemic, I want to be practical and have this post ready … if I should leave you too soon… here is what I hope you remember …
I love you with my whole heart. Read that again and again and again. I really mean it. My love for you is so huge and deep, even the ocean is jealous.
The opposite of death is birth, but life and love goes on (read that one again too).
When you are overwhelmed or don’t know how to go on, say to yourself “I choose love” over and over and follow the path that feels like love, love for yourself mostly, but love for the important people around you.
My goal in life was (is) to be an abundance of love, light and peace.
Remember that whatever follows I AM comes looking for you, so don’t say things you don’t want to be true. (Saying I am exhausted, I am broke … leads to the universe bringing you those things!).
Read through my blog & books if you miss me, and maybe you’ll see a part of me in yourself or at least learn more about me. I want to share my whole self with you.
I don’t believe in the “power of prayer” necessarily, but I believe everything in life is an energy exchange. And if you send thoughts of kindness or help or gratitude, the universe has a way of honoring that.
Emotions are a compass, listen to them. Don’t ignore them, don’t numb them with alcohol or drugs or shopping or video games or busyness. Don’t lie to yourself. Do NOT break promises you make to yourself, especially first thing in the morning (ie. don’t hit snooze!). What is mentionable is manageable, so talk to someone (anyone!) about your feelings!
Set goals, personal & professional, bucket lists … and crush them! And then keep reaching higher.
Remember that money is a tool, not a goal. Use your time, energy and money to create the world you want to live in.
Fill your life with laughter, books/new ideas and sunshine.
Follow what fascinates you. Read, watch movies, listen to podcasts, have conversations about whatever makes you curious. Spend time getting to know yourself so you can live an authentic life.
Always surround yourself with life; people you love, nature, plants, animals.
Value human connection over efficiencies. Spend time interacting in person, as much as possible.
I wish you always to be filled with peace, love and light. And I know you will spread it throughout the entire universe. I love you always.
Affecting Cultural, Environmental, Spiritual, Emotional and Existential aspects of life
I feel this profound sense of urgency right now, while I’m pandemicing. To say and write and create everything! As if the world is rolling the credits.
Do you feel this way too? I oscillate hourly between crying uncontrollably, happily reading a book, screaming into the oblivion, running away as far as my body can take me, crawling under the covers, or just cozily laying on the couch with blankets, my family and a great movie. I equally want to run around hugging everyone, but also never leave my house or talk to anyone ever again.
It’s Unrest. Uncomfortable. Unknown.
I do have hope though. It’s raw hope; which has crystallized the experience of feeling more than just one emotion at the same time.
Thank goodness there is a vaccine! There really is an end to this, in less than a year probably! How amazing is that? Again, I’m back to the credits rolling. Am I using this precious time wisely enough? I want to know exactly when the finish line is as I operate with a sense of urgency. But I also don’t want to live a life with no goals, dreams, projects in process, so what’s the rush?
Pandemicing impacts yourself, your family, your work, your habits, your dreams, your goals, your everything.
So…Be kind. Be brave. Be curious. But especially while Pandemicing, be gentle.
We are all going through hard time, but it looks different for all of us as we worry about what the future holds, grieve, feel isolated, homesick, mentally and physically drained, trying to hold it together, or struggling to make the holidays (or a son’s birthday) magical.
I’m a planner so I’m actually grateful to know 2021 will start out pandemicing. I feel more prepared than March of 2020.
It’s less scary. More sad. But less overwhelming. Especially since there is a vaccine that we should all be able to receive by the end of 2021!!
What a promising year, with a new leader who will listen to science and truth and communicate effectively to keep us all safe and healthy.
Thermodynamics, entropy, quantum physics and space-time are real, but magic. Albert Einstein and Carlo Rovelli do a much better job explaining these concepts than I ever will, but the first key takeaway is: time only passes when heat is exchanged.
The second concept I will also butcher is space-time. That time only occurs if you include your physical location. Here’s a quick story to help illustrate: consider a human on Mars, if we make a phone call on Earth to Mars it will take approximately 20 minutes for the sound to travel there and 20 minutes to get back. So when is “now” happening on Earth? On Mars? The second key takeaway is we can’t physically be in the same moment at the same time, unless we agree on space-time.
I think these two scientific concepts are the answer to a lot of questions, deep questions we all have.
I believe there are tangible ways to feel time passing, and know we are having a shared experience.
We usually describe it as warmth.
The stark contrast of the crisp air and warmth of a sweater or sip of hot cider makes you sense time and feel present at this moment in time.
You can feel someone’s warmth through space-time, through screens and over time zones; even when you’re not in the same room.
Sharing a moment is the connection we all strive for.
A moment in time.
Right here, on this planet, I feel your warmth, I know your love.
A warm embrace physically releases hormones, slows your heart rate, and decreases blood pressure. The warmth of a hug physiologically changes you.
Your body tries to regulate itself when you step outside in winter and stay alive at relatively the same temperature; but heat (energy, time) leaves with every breath, and you can see it happening.
We don’t try to stop time with just photographs, we use blankets, hot chocolate, tea, cozy socks, bonfires and slippers.
Enjoy the time, space, and heat you share with the planet and with others.
I wish you an abundance of warmth this holiday season.
The bubble you stay in for COVID-19. Bubbles that appear while you’re cleaning, doing dishes or giving the dog a bath. Bubbly that you hold in your hand to toast in the new year! It is nature’s confetti – bubbles are a sign of healthy water eco-systems and signs of life underneath the water. Feelings bubble to the surface, you can’t keep them bottled up forever.
I recently came across the swiss-cheese risk mitigation system (pictured above), which are just bubbles that form in the slices. If you line up 4-5 slices of swiss cheese, the chances of one hole being in the same spot across all the slices is very slim. And that’s how I tend to live my life, not just in the pandemic … but even though I currently have a good job, my resume is always up-to-date. And when planning for retirement, I have multiple plans for success; I’m not just counting on Social Security, I have savings, a pension, 401k, 403b, Whole Life Insurance and plan to pay off the mortgage in time to retire. Hopefully all of this planning and risk mitigation will pay off and by not having all your eggs in one basket, you can avoid any problems or pitfalls that occur when multiple swiss cheese holes line up.
Honestly, bubbles prompt me to stay mindfully present. They are fleeting and only here for a moment. You can see them, feel them, pop them or watch them float away.
Bubbles usually come in multiples, which is what I am missing. I miss my people. I need more togetherness and community with bubbly personalities.
On this path of life, choose the path with the most bubbles!
The Lefty Writer 