Day 45: Valentines + Sisterhood

Today I learned...
...that leaving valentines for strangers is loving, special, and meaningful. There's a first time for everything!

Today I am thankful for...
...a powerful movement called One Billion Rising. I intermittently bawled and got chills while watching live streams and videos of women all over the world dancing to demand an end to violence against women. I made my own video of dancing in solidarity with the movement since I could not be part of an organized event.

Day 40: My Message + Nana

Today I learned...
...that I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to say to girls out there. While I was busy writing papers this morning, I received an email from someone asking for advice on how to talk to a 12 year old girl about body dissatisfaction, comparisons to others, and negative self-worth. It got me thinking - like REALLY thinking - so I filmed an 8 minute video, specifically for girls. You know...those wonderful little creatures who grow up to be women. I couldn't even continue what I was doing until I made this video. Do you have a daughter? A grand-daughter? A niece? A little sister? A student? If there is any girl in your life, this is what I want to tell her. This is what she needs to hear. It's not even really about eating disorders. It's about self-love. It's about life. 

Today I am thankful for...
...being able to celebrate my Nana's birthday with her. Most of the family went out to dinner tonight and it was nice to just look at my grandmother from across the table, sitting there in her red shirt and her salt and pepper hair, and just smile...and watch her smile back.

Day 38: Listening + Driving Anxiety

Today I learned...
...that sometimes people just need to be heard. I made a home hospice visit today, armed with resources and suggestions and options for a patient's caregiver daughter. She didn't want any of them...yet my visit was very successful. I listened. I validated. I encouraged. I supported. And though I left feeling like I had not "given" anything... in retrospect I think I gave the woman just what she needed.

Today I am thankful for...
...a noticeable decrease in my driving anxiety. I've really been using gratitude to combat it (sounds strange, but it's private and it works!) and it was tested today. Scale of 1-10, it was mere 1. Yay!

Day 35: Recognition + Important Words

Today I learned...
...that my hard work does not go unnoticed. I was recognized THREE times today and it felt almost magical and connected. The first was my small bit on the news. The other two recognition instances were total surprises and really made me blush. I won't elaborate just yet...but to be nominated for something special by people I respect means a lot to me.

Today I am thankful for...
...Channel 69 News airing the NUMBER ONE thing I would want aired. Of all the footage they took of me speaking at my home, they could only show a brief clip and what they chose was me saying, "If someone out there is struggling or they know someone who is struggling, there is hope. Recovery can be achieved." Yes, yes, and yes! THANK YOU.

Day 29: Little Things + Opportunities

Today I learned...
...that the simplest things can be the most meaningful to people. When Channel 69 News came to my home to interview me today, they took footage of me with my delightful cat, Tumbler. They also took footage of specific quotes on my bulletin board ("Each new day is another chance to change your life," "Inspire," etc.) and me making food to eat in my kitchen! ;-)

Today I am thankful for...
...the amazing opportunity of being interviewed by Nancy Werteen of Channel 69 News (WFMZ). Though she warned me that my portion of the segment will be cut to about a minute and a half, she was so respectful and kind. She asked such good questions and talked to me for quite a while. She even told me that editing the footage to the time frame will be difficult. It was a great meeting. And honestly, even if it never aired on TV, I feel like it was a success.

Day 15: Awareness + Glasses

Today I learned...
...that being more aware, alert, and conscious has amazing results in so many aspects of life. I've been working on my consciousness. I have been trying to see the meaning in things I may have overlooked before. I have been looking out for messages, good news, purpose. It's all coming together. My awareness of the world around me has become heightened over the last 4 weeks and I feel really good. And today I have really recognized the culmination of my energy, my awareness, my desire to see the world deeply. Everything feels more connected. It also feels stronger. The benefits are endless and they pop up everywhere: in my workplace, in my marriage, in my friendships...(dare I say it?) even with my cats. :-)

Today I am thankful for...
...getting out early from my hospice field placement so that I could go get some new glasses. I wear contacts mostly, but my glasses prescription was old enough that I was getting headaches from wearing my glasses too long, so I decided to rectify that. The new glasses should be in next week and they're pretty hip. I hope to wear them more often (especially since I got transition lenses!) and try to look both older and smarter. ;-) Ha. Point is though, that I was struggling to find the time to go get new glasses, because the place is only open weekdays and Saturdays. I work all of those days, so it was a bit of a dilemma. Not anymore! Free time was gifted to me today and I am grateful for that!