Friday Gratitude: Dancing! Kindness in Healthcare! Humility!

Morning dew in our yard

Raise your hand if you can’t believe it’s time for another edition of Friday Gratitude! Life is FULL and busy at the moment (which makes for more blog material, but less time & energy to do it…no complaining, I swear 🙂 )

But busy as things may be, I like that I give myself this opportunity each week to think about what’s good and what deserves a moment of thanks.

Friday Gratitude [part four]

1. Nature always has to play a part somehow! I’m grateful for our hike this week and everything we saw: lizards, frogs, waterfalls, beautiful vistas, mushrooms, and a trail jogger who inspired us to run in spurts ourselves. Sometimes when we’re caught in the day-to-day tasks of everyday life, it feels so good to say ‘hey, let’s stop what we’re doing and go hike somewhere!’ Details on this particular hike in an upcoming post!

Waterfalls along the Purple Trail at Shaupeneak Ridge Recreation Area

2. I may be a little late to the party here, but do you guys know the song “Thrift Store” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (same artists who brought you the fantastic/heart melting song “Same Love”)? It’s super addictive, it’s funny, and maaaan does it make me get up and dance! I’m grateful for this song, for spontaneous dancing around the house with Andy, and lyrics that make us laugh.

3. I’m grateful for doctors, receptionists, nurses, and social workers who perform their jobs with compassion, kindness, and patience. Yesterday afternoon, I had a long-overdue doctor’s visit: both an initial appointment with a new doctor and my first physical in seven years + a mental health intake. I had several needle sticks, one of which has my left upper arm still achy/weak as I write this. I spent three and a half hours in one building, half the time upstairs with the new doc, the rest of the time crying off and on to a social worker, which wouldn’t have been possible without my new doctor’s sympathy and understanding that I needed to get in to treatment again, that my anxiety has been a lot to handle lately. That run-on sentence works perfectly, since it was such a run-on, emotional afternoon! But ohhh, thank you universe, I needed that attention and care. Everything is getting back on track now thanks to that sequence of events.

Truth!

4. Number three wasn’t easy to write, but this one is even harder. Today, and this past week, I am grateful for my openness to letting others help. I am grateful that I am continuing to practice asking and receiving. I am grateful for the little surprises from the many people in my life, for all the small but significant ways they show their love.  

I’ve started a fundraiser to help with the out-of-pocket expenses for my nursing program that begins in August. If you feel at all compelled, please click here to read a bit about my goals and learn how to donate.

This isn’t easy at all, but I’m trying to push through, because it’s necessary. Maybe if you can’t afford to give any dollar amount, consider sharing the link on your Facebook page or emailing it to someone you know who can. I am super appreciative of everyone that has helped so far- thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

With that, friends, I am going to bed. I’ve been anxious and emotional and more social than usual and needing to recognize when to take alone time. (Which is to say, I am spent.)

What are you grateful for today? Also, do you have any tips for starting a meditation practice, or other ways to combat anxiety?

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It’s the little things you do, it’s the little things you say. It’s the love that you give along the way.   –Ani DiFranco

[Thanks to Andy Milford for the first two photos in this post. And for your kisses, support, and constant admin help.]