Day 7: Radiolab

I love radio. I might also say that I am thankful for radio period, but it's good to be specific. There are many shows I am thankful for, but there is one that I've been listening to lately.

Though my radio connoisseur friend would disagree, I am grateful Radiolab is around. It's a science show, but a hip version. Maybe like if Science Friday and Snap Judgement had a baby. Or something.

Anyways, it has two hosts and will usually cover a broad topic then include several segments on that theme, always with creative production. It's where I learned about the "coopertino effect" and how new words on 'thinking' actually produces new thinking, among many other amazing things. The show is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and for me seems to always brush the tip of the infinite. And I like that.

Don't take my word for it, check it out yourselves. LISTEN HERE.

Day 6: My Fur Friends

Today's gratitude goes out to my pups. They aren't really puppies, but sometimes have so much energy I confused them with young ones. Baylee, the cockapoo, has been with me since 2005. Gracie, black lab mix, came to live with us around 2010 and they've been best buds since. These little creatures help to keep me in the moment.  They are always ready for love and playtime.  Its amazing to me how they can read emotions. Just the other day I was sharing with my boyfriend something unpleasant about my day and Baylee's sympathetic response was immediate. He might not be able to understand what I say, but he knows what it means. When I wake up or come home, there are two excited little beings ready to greet me.  I know they are both excited to see me and also wondering when is the next time we are going to go outside. They remind me how important it is for us all to spend a little time everyday outdoors.

Day 5: Therapy for Me

I've learn how important it is to make sure that I am receiving regular massage sessions. Even still, there is a part of me that resists it sometimes.  Just like with yoga, the rational part of me thinks that "I could get so much done with that time." Somehow that part forgets that taking the time out for self-care IS getting a lot done.

This afternoon I had a session scheduled and leading up to the appointment I was resisting getting on the table. For those that don't know, SET sessions are not always the most enjoyable massages but are also the ones that make the most change. Sure enough we found some pretty uncomfortable spots that had me breathing heavy and even shed a few tears. And you know what? I feel better and have been more productive in the time since the session than I feel like I would have been if I worked the whole time.

Day 4: Reunions and New Friends

A few months ago I made an executive decision: I was going to see my friends Mark and Iris this summer, for real.  Mark and Iris were friends from my Religious Studies days at USF. I met them both in a class my first year. Iris sat in front of me; Mark was the TA.  Iris and I became fast friends and ended up living together a few years later after I moved out of my parents.  Her and Mark started dating soon after and he became a frequent visitor of our apartment. Our second year living together, Mark joined us.  What a happy home it was.  

These are some of my favorite people. Ever. Those fond memories of being in collage, still young and harmlessly reckless but mostly silly, for me are imprinted with memories of these folks. A few others, of course, but Mark and Iris were part of the inner circle. 

After our second year of living together, they both graduated, packed their bags and moved to Boulder, CO. Five years flew by and I was still repeating the same mantra: I'll come visit next summer. Finally a voice in my head said, "Enough!" and I promptly bought plane tickets before any voice of pseudo-reason could get a word in. What a great choice that was. I brought my boyfriend, who was lovingly accepted into the family. He even found a friend who got all his obscure Simpsons references (Mark) and for that I'm sure he's thankful too. 

The four of us after a hike in the Rockies

Day 3: New Clients

It's new clients that keep my practice alive. As one of the counselors that's now working in our office says, "My job is to work my way out of a job because my clients get better."  This can apply to me too so its crucial to keep the new ones coming in.

Thanks to a once new-client-turned-regular, I had two new clients today!  Both sessions went really well and I got to do what I love - open another's eyes to the possibility of living without pain and discomfort.

Day 2: A Loaner Ride

A week ago I realized that the car I just bought had a major leak in the trunk. Bummer. I guess the leak itself wasn't major, but it needed serious bodywork instead of just a replacement liner like I was hoping.  It ended up needing to be in the shop all week, and I had a full week of work after having just come back from vacation. I would have hated to miss more work because of this.





But as it turns out, I didn't have to. My mom let me use car (left) all week. It all worked out wonderfully, even gave us an excuse to hang out on Friday and go by the new Kaleisia Tea space (one of our favorite places). It almost makes me thankful the car thing happened...almost.

THANKS MOM!

Day 1: Memories of Clint

Just yesterday I discovered that a good friend of mine passed away in a car accident earlier this month.  I saw a picture of him on Facebook with words about "loving memories" and "passing on" that led me to check out his page to find several messages about his gentle, loving soul and how he will be missed. I agree with them all.

It only seems appropriate to start this project off with my gratitude for getting to share some time with this man. Clint showed me, and many others, the wonders of raw food. He taught me how to make salads, enlivened my love for kale, and is the reason I own a dehydrator.  It was also through Clint that I connected with an awesome group of friends. In a lot of ways, this guy changed my life.

I would like to dedicate this project to his memory. Clint was an incredible inspiration to those around him, may his love for health and good food live on in us all.

Here's a video of him in his element showing Tim Van Orden, a raw food athlete, the how-to on foraging Florida foods.

If I got a chance to talk to Clint one last time, I would want him to know that I can't make a salad without thinking of him and that I am so thankful he was here for his time with us.