The New Normal

We made it back into the studio!

Things were mostly the same...

and then again, just a little different. :)

Have a Blessed week!

Namaste,
T

Stand Tall

Click here for: "Why telling bullying victims to 'just fight back' doesn't work" on cnn.com

Click here for: stopbullying.gov

Click here for: stompoutbullying.org

Click here for: kidshealth.org

Namaste,

T

First Mother's Day

I had been looking forward to my first Mother's Day as a mom. I had visions of it being just like another birthday and figured that my blog would talk of it something like that. (Yay! It's like another birthday! This is GREAT!)

Then I realized Russ would be traveling that day. Then I got sick.

Despite having gone to the ENT doctor twice, starting antibiotics and drinking plenty of fluids, I am just sick. I had been offered assistance, but it was just too much to deal with to coordinate. I ran out in the pouring rain for more cough medicine and face masks on Saturday. It was just me, the baby and the dogs on Mother's Day. Aside from all the nose blowing, I still loved it.

Click here for a history of Mother's Day on History.com

Russ left a banner and balloon which were covered up. A sign read "Do not remove cover until Sunday." There was a card too. #ThanksRuss. That was nice. I received texts from many friends and family members wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. That was nice too.

Since my throat was sore, I had a hard time singing and reading without coughing like crazy. We listened to a toddler music program. Some of these songs crack me up...

So cute and clever! Then I heard "Lunch Will Keep Us Together." When I looked it up to share here, I learned some more about it. Enjoy! I'm going to go have lunch. ;)

Hope all the mothers had a beautiful day!

Namaste,
T

Thanks for Taking Care of That

Doctor: So you have this aortic aneurysm that is descended.

Me: Ok. (Wasn't expecting THAT.)

Doctor: No wait... You're not Sheldon.

Me: Nope.

It turned out that my radiology report showed no issues at all, but that the department had accidentally sent the wrong report to the doctor. When I was leaving the doctor smiled and said, "Glad I was able to take care of that aneurysm for you."

Me too.

Sometimes, when things don't seem to be going my way, I have the presence of mind to stop and think that maybe it's for the best anyway. Sometimes not. Thankfully there are moments when I realize that there are probably all kinds of Blessings I am not even aware of. Like maybe when I'm running late and everything seems to be slowing me down, it's so that I miss a traffic accident that might've been if I had been on the road a few minutes earlier. When I'm on the right side of gratitude and faith, I might feel keenly aware that the Universe is taking care of all kinds of things for me.

Thanks for taking care of that - and thanks for the reminders.

"You have been given a gift worth more than any material gift ever bestowed."

- Joan Goss

Thanks also to Joan Goss (ordained minister and longtime student of A Course in Miracles - http://acourseinmiracleswithjoan.com), whom I heard speak and who reminded me of the power of the mind. The next time I feel like complaining, I'll try to remember to be grateful for all the ways I'm being taken care of.

Namaste,
T

Prayers and well wishes for Sheldon too...

Up Up and Away

I was in a bad mood when I got to physical therapy and the chipper young assistant asked me, "How was your week?" all cheerful-like and smiley. I felt like launching into a tirade about everything under the sun that was aggravating me. I kept my answer short, and complaints to a minimum, as I took up my place on the elliptical machine. Shortly afterward as I was doing my table exercises, an elderly client came in and began her routine on the table next to mine. When asked how she was doing, she replied with a happy and upbeat spirit that she was well. Her exercises were more basic than mine and they seemed more difficult for her to do. I felt sorry for my bad mood. I thought that if she had nothing to complain about, neither should I.

Soon everyone began talking about the house directly outside the second story window that we all look out at. There's only one house out there. It's surrounded by parking lots, multipurpose buildings and condominiums. It stands out not only because it is the only single family home in sight, but because it can be referred to as a "blight." There are piles of rocks and debris along one side of the neighborhood eyesore. It is in need of paint and some other repairs. There are mismatched containers of various sizes littering the backyard, filled with what seem to be dead plants and dirt. Odd toys, bikes and other clutter dot the cracked cement patio along with the weeds.

A few weeks ago, we noticed that some people seemed to be cleaning it up, but that was just one day and nothing really changed in the overall appearance. The elderly patient commented that the owners could be fined by the city. One of the assistants said that the house reminded her of the Disney movie "Up" which features a house like that. She said that in the movie, the house flew up and away on an adventure. Without missing a beat, the elderly lady said with a smile, "Maybe THAT'S what will happen!"

It made my day. I thought about it all weekend. She didn't even hesitate at the idea that the house in question could just up and fly away. It was reflective of an "anything is possible" state of mind. It was delightful and she lifted me up - for sure.

Here's hoping that THIS week... I might lift people up and not be a blight. ;)
A Blessed week to us all. xoxo

Namaste,
T