I woke up this morning feeling tired. I’ve felt this way for the past week or so. Work has been exceptionally stressful and I think my body has finally had enough. The rain doesn’t help, although we most definitely need it here in the Bay Area.

As I dragged myself to work this morning, I noticed Nature stirring around me. While I was wishing I was back in bed, the birds were chirping gleefully, the creek was running rapidly and there was a smell of freshness in the air. There was also the smell of a fire burning, most likely the stove of a nearby cafe, and it reminded me of raining days camping and the smell of damp wood campfire. This smell brought me to a place of joy and I felt a charge with which to begin my day!

When I arrived at my office, there were messages from patients cancelling their morning appointments. At first I was annoyed about the change in my schedule. I got up early, trudged to work, weathered the rain, and now I’m stuck with several free hours to myself. Oh the horror.

I made a few phone calls, sent a few emails, and then decided to meditate. I so often recommend the practice of meditation to my patients and so often deny myself the experience. Being a healer is like this sometimes. My mind is constantly at work thinking of ways to help others, but I can easily forget to take the time to care for myself. So I went into our larger treatment room and closed the door. (I brought the phone with me – I’ve still got to work). I took off my watch and my rain-dampened shoes, closed my eyes, and began to breathe. As always it took me a few moments to calm the breath and my mind. I worried that I shouldn’t have the music playing or should have turned the lights out but then I remembered that life always has distractions and the point of my practice is to find peace within the chaos, so I remained in my meditation and continued to become calm. My mind wandered as it always does, but the breath softened and became smooth. I remembered the smell of fire during my walk, and why it is so attractive to my senses. It brings me back to my love of the outdoors and Nature that gently forces me to abandon the daily routine and technological connections that I hold on to neurotically. When I’m on a camp site, there are no phones, no computers, I rarely even wear a watch. It’s just me and the wilderness. The breeze, the birds, the sounds of a nearby stream. I don’t think about the next episode of my favorite show, or my unanswered emails, or my facebook status. I am able to enter freely into the oneness that exists between myself and my world and let go of the shackles that bind me to my ego. I returned to my meditation. The same feeling had been accomplished. My breath softened further. I felt energy in my hands. My heart was free. Then the phone rang. It was a solicitor. It’s a work day after all. No worries. I gained what I needed.

I set back to work and began writing this blog entry, and then a patient who was supposed to be at 10:30 walked in a 11:40. How fortunate that another patient cancelled and my time became available to him. Also how fortunate that I was given the time to renew my senses and nourish my heart. I was now clear and renewed.

Sometimes it all works out!

It’s my birthday!!!

I’m a huge fan of my birthday. No matter how old I get I’ll always think of it as a day to celebrate….and do nothing but have fun and be happy.

Even though….

Lol.

I hope everyone had a happy and healthy New Year. I’m off to enjoy being ME!

Actually, I’m realizing as I write this that I was planning on baking tonight. Just a simple pumpkin bread from the box that I picked up at Trader Joes. Not as good as the real thing (which I should be making because I do have a sweet pumpkin just waiting to be used) but my guests will have to settle for a less-than-from-scratch version instead.

What guests?

My beautiful sister Theresa and her boyfriend Justin are coming to visit! I’m very excited. Not super thrilled to have to drive to San Jose tonight to pick them up, but they are worth it! A fun-filled weekend is in store!!

Aren’t they cute?

xox

My crock-pot broke. (tear)

And being the procrastinating and frugal person that I am, I never went to buy a new one. But lately with my work schedule, I haven’t had the time or energy to make a nutritious meal each night and that’s really been weighing on me. So today I bit the bullet and went to Target.

BTW – Target is fabulous for finds but terrible for my sanity. I’ll stop myself before I get started on all the bizarre things that went on during my trip there. The important part of the story is that I bought a new crock-pot!!

It’s smaller than my last one. 4.5 quarts I think. Not an ideal size. They were sold out of the one I wanted (-3 in stock actually) but it was on sale so I can’t complain. I’m excited to start setting and forgetting once again!

Here’s a few of my favorite crock pot recipes from the past!

No Hurry Vegetable Curry

Chicken and Cauliflower Curry

Sweet and Spicy Lentil Chili

It’s a laptop sleeve!

But not just any laptop sleeve. A Coach laptop sleeve! And I won it from the beautiful Li at Her Deep Thoughts who loves her Deep Thinkers so much that she decided to give away this fabulous Coach sleeve for her blog’s three year anniversary. How cool is she?!

Things are really starting to look up for me lately and I’m feeling good about life. How appropriate since these are exactly the thoughts that Li hopes to inspire on her blog! She believes in finding our bliss and living our lives best!

My favorite topic is “LushLunes.”

Love it!

Check her out!

Thanks Li!!!

It was difficult being so far away from her during this time leading up to her surgery. I mean, it always is but not being able to hug her before she went under the knife hit a lot deeper cord. We talked often, but it’s not the same.

I spent a lot of time this weekend with my friend and her eighteen month old. Watching mother and daughter together made me think of my own mom even more. She was once a young mother, excited and unsure. And we were once babies, looking to her for protection and love. Now her children are grown and living their own lives. But she’s still our mom. She loves us and cares for us just the same as she did when we were only two and we still love her and ask for her guidance.

Only now I can look to my mom for friendship as well as safety.  She’s easy to talk to, understanding, and kind.  She never judges or points blame.  She simply loves unconditionally and accepts me for who I am.  I’m one of the lucky ones.  She’s really a great lady!

So here’s to you, Mom. I’m so relieved that everything with your surgery well went. I hope for you a speedy recovery. Enjoy your quiet time at home and know that no matter how far away I am I always love you and think of you! xoxo