I’m experiencing the age I am now and the accumulation of all the days and years before. This includes both being grateful for the things my body is capable of, like going for a long walk, and noticing the things that aren’t quite what they used to be. That’s the reality for all of us if we live any length of time.
Over the course of this year I’ve experienced a new side of myself thanks to taking improv classes, which I’ve mentioned before. I started those early in the new year through our parks and rec department and I’ve signed up for each cycle of classes they offered. Several of us are regulars and we have “Improv Friends Club” get-togethers in the months when class isn’t in session; our teacher even comes to those and we have dinner and do skits at someone’s house. I’ve found a brave and spontaneous side and I’ll now jump right into a scene whereas I held back early on. I’ve laughed more and harder in this last year than in a long time–such a delight!
I’ve also grown professionally over the years. I occasionally pause to recognize how reflexively I do things to act as both a leader and supporter of my team, which has grown rapidly over the past 18 months. I’ve gotten my ego out of the way. I make sure to give others opportunities and to highlight them and the team rather than myself. I’m able to say “I don’t know” and “Well, I got that wrong. Help me understand so that doesn’t happen again.” My younger self was insecure and would have wanted to be sure people knew I was good at things; she also didn’t like acknowledging mistakes. I’ve grown into confidence and make a point of “learning out loud” in a meeting to encourage others to be honest and to make it okay to try and not quite get there. If we’re not making mistakes we’re not trying new things and learning.
I am realizing how much I am just “letting go” and living moments in a surrender to what is. I am also spending more time in meditation and being present. I find I am happier for no reason.
I’m experiencing myself as someone who offers space for others to heal, as a facilitator. I really enjoy being able to open spaces for others to move through grief and gratitude, and also the discipline involved … there’s an imperative for me to welcome whatever comes, which in turn demands that I work through my own stuff before holding space. It feels meaningful and important. I would add, if anyone is interested in hosting Grateful Gatherings, I highly recommend listening to that call, there’s another training in January.
I think that over the past many years, I have developed a little bit more detachment from my “small self”– the part of me that wants things my way, wants to be right, that reacts instead of responding, etc. I am experiencing myself more often from a grounded place that has compassion for the small self and can be curious about what it is experiencing. I feel more empowered because I know that I have an interior “toolbox” of spiritual practices (and now gratefulness practices too) that I can reach for when the small self is feeling in despair or angry etc.
I had a great experience making Vietnamese bread. It was very difficult for me because successful Vietnamese bread must be very lightweight, with thin and crispy skin that cracks when you slightly press on the surface. I tried some recipes and techniques unsuccessfully. Fortunately, Loc’s aunt taught me how to make it last week, and I succeeded. It was such a great experience! I really enjoyed the hot, crispy bread fresh out of the oven with chili soy sauce or hot milk coffee.
I am having a new experience of finding my confidence again as I prepare to restart my YTT. I was physically and mentally beat down in the restaurant-owning business. It was quite the experience, to say the least. Not practicing yoga daily as I did before that adventure really affected me. But I have faith that I will regain the movement and flexibility. I just need to find that part of me who knows she can do anything she sets her mind to.
Last December my husband was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. I have been introduced to the care partner role. It is scary, burdensome, educational, and rewarding all at the same time. I am grateful to have found several groups that support that role. The participants are willing to share their experiences and offer resources.
Today, I get the new experience of turning 27 🙂 As I’ve gotten older, I have allowed myself to explore and create and become and be. For a long time, This was something I didn’t do for myself out of fear of what others would think, if I didn’t fit their mold or meet their expectations of who they thought I was. Nonetheless, I have gifted myself the opportunity of becoming the person I always wanted to be and will continue to do so for as long as I can. And for that, I am grateful. 🧡🙏🏽
Happy birthday, Jennifer. I’m glad you’re able to be yourself. It’s where it starts and ends. I mentioned community building as my goal in my response. Being authentic makes it easier to align our standards with society’s standards. We’re doing it for real instead of reluctance.
My husband and I have traveled extensively in our 51 years together. As we consider a biking trip in Portugal, for the first time I feel hesitant. And I can’t exactly put my finger on why. That is a new experience that I am working with. Peace.
I will be visiting the Chihuly Collection later today with my dad and his niece, Sheryl, who flew in yesterday to visit with him. I’m excited to see it, had always wanted to.
Yesterday, a former colleague from Ohio visited us. He said that after all these years (I left that job in 2010) there are still a few nurses and doctors who ask about me, and who, when they found he and his wife were going to visit, wished me well. I felt that I had made a difference!
I’m becoming closer to my Vietnamese roots while still maintaining my Americanized foundation evidenced by my Facebook posts recently and seeing the unanimous positive reactions and comments from my default audiences. Having many topics to talk about helps. It helps with letting go and community building. Community building is the biggest advantage to being in the middle of multiple worlds. The DEI model of diversity equity inclusion is more attainable. I can pick out values that feel compatible to me as I intigrade them into my community building.
This moment, right now, I have never experinced before. This thought has just made me stop and savour it by taking a deep breath and looking out of the window to see the birds busily coming and going to the feeders. I am so grateful that I can still see them for now.
Each new day that I am gifted is another day to live with compassion, peace, love, acceptance for the present of presence. To be ok with what is. I may as well be, for that is what is……….this present moment. Namaste.
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I’m experiencing the age I am now and the accumulation of all the days and years before. This includes both being grateful for the things my body is capable of, like going for a long walk, and noticing the things that aren’t quite what they used to be. That’s the reality for all of us if we live any length of time.
Over the course of this year I’ve experienced a new side of myself thanks to taking improv classes, which I’ve mentioned before. I started those early in the new year through our parks and rec department and I’ve signed up for each cycle of classes they offered. Several of us are regulars and we have “Improv Friends Club” get-togethers in the months when class isn’t in session; our teacher even comes to those and we have dinner and do skits at someone’s house. I’ve found a brave and spontaneous side and I’ll now jump right into a scene whereas I held back early on. I’ve laughed more and harder in this last year than in a long time–such a delight!
I’ve also grown professionally over the years. I occasionally pause to recognize how reflexively I do things to act as both a leader and supporter of my team, which has grown rapidly over the past 18 months. I’ve gotten my ego out of the way. I make sure to give others opportunities and to highlight them and the team rather than myself. I’m able to say “I don’t know” and “Well, I got that wrong. Help me understand so that doesn’t happen again.” My younger self was insecure and would have wanted to be sure people knew I was good at things; she also didn’t like acknowledging mistakes. I’ve grown into confidence and make a point of “learning out loud” in a meeting to encourage others to be honest and to make it okay to try and not quite get there. If we’re not making mistakes we’re not trying new things and learning.
I am realizing how much I am just “letting go” and living moments in a surrender to what is. I am also spending more time in meditation and being present. I find I am happier for no reason.
Everyday is a new experience of myself. Lately, this has involved more turning within, seeking refuge within my own mind and heart. Self preservation.
I’m experiencing myself as someone who offers space for others to heal, as a facilitator. I really enjoy being able to open spaces for others to move through grief and gratitude, and also the discipline involved … there’s an imperative for me to welcome whatever comes, which in turn demands that I work through my own stuff before holding space. It feels meaningful and important. I would add, if anyone is interested in hosting Grateful Gatherings, I highly recommend listening to that call, there’s another training in January.
I think that over the past many years, I have developed a little bit more detachment from my “small self”– the part of me that wants things my way, wants to be right, that reacts instead of responding, etc. I am experiencing myself more often from a grounded place that has compassion for the small self and can be curious about what it is experiencing. I feel more empowered because I know that I have an interior “toolbox” of spiritual practices (and now gratefulness practices too) that I can reach for when the small self is feeling in despair or angry etc.
I had a great experience making Vietnamese bread. It was very difficult for me because successful Vietnamese bread must be very lightweight, with thin and crispy skin that cracks when you slightly press on the surface. I tried some recipes and techniques unsuccessfully. Fortunately, Loc’s aunt taught me how to make it last week, and I succeeded. It was such a great experience! I really enjoyed the hot, crispy bread fresh out of the oven with chili soy sauce or hot milk coffee.
This sounds amazing. I love Vietnamese food!
That bread sounds delicious. Ngoc! And I am intrigued to think of how it would taste with chili soy sauce
Oh, Vietnamese bread sounds incredible! I’ll have to look up a recipe online, I didn’t know about this type of bread. Enjoy!!
I am having a new experience of finding my confidence again as I prepare to restart my YTT. I was physically and mentally beat down in the restaurant-owning business. It was quite the experience, to say the least. Not practicing yoga daily as I did before that adventure really affected me. But I have faith that I will regain the movement and flexibility. I just need to find that part of me who knows she can do anything she sets her mind to.
Last December my husband was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. I have been introduced to the care partner role. It is scary, burdensome, educational, and rewarding all at the same time. I am grateful to have found several groups that support that role. The participants are willing to share their experiences and offer resources.
Today, I get the new experience of turning 27 🙂 As I’ve gotten older, I have allowed myself to explore and create and become and be. For a long time, This was something I didn’t do for myself out of fear of what others would think, if I didn’t fit their mold or meet their expectations of who they thought I was. Nonetheless, I have gifted myself the opportunity of becoming the person I always wanted to be and will continue to do so for as long as I can. And for that, I am grateful. 🧡🙏🏽
Happy birthday Jenifer! 🎉
Happy birthday Jenifer!
Happy Birthday, Jenifer!
Happy Birthday, Scorpio sister! Best wishes for your 27th trip around the sun 🙂
Happy Birthday! 🎂
Happy birthday to you, Jenifer. Wishing you all the best with your goals.
Happy Birthday! What wisdom you have gained in your time of living.
Happy birthday, Jennifer. I’m glad you’re able to be yourself. It’s where it starts and ends. I mentioned community building as my goal in my response. Being authentic makes it easier to align our standards with society’s standards. We’re doing it for real instead of reluctance.
Happy birthday, Jennifer! What a wonderful resolve. May you continue in this exciting direction.🙏
My husband and I have traveled extensively in our 51 years together. As we consider a biking trip in Portugal, for the first time I feel hesitant. And I can’t exactly put my finger on why. That is a new experience that I am working with. Peace.
Wishing you the best of luck on your biking trip, Mary.
I will be visiting the Chihuly Collection later today with my dad and his niece, Sheryl, who flew in yesterday to visit with him. I’m excited to see it, had always wanted to.
Wow! I never knew this was in St. Pete! It looks beautiful…I need to visit here soon!
Enjoy the experience. I think it will be breathtaking.
Yesterday, a former colleague from Ohio visited us. He said that after all these years (I left that job in 2010) there are still a few nurses and doctors who ask about me, and who, when they found he and his wife were going to visit, wished me well. I felt that I had made a difference!
I’m becoming closer to my Vietnamese roots while still maintaining my Americanized foundation evidenced by my Facebook posts recently and seeing the unanimous positive reactions and comments from my default audiences. Having many topics to talk about helps. It helps with letting go and community building. Community building is the biggest advantage to being in the middle of multiple worlds. The DEI model of diversity equity inclusion is more attainable. I can pick out values that feel compatible to me as I intigrade them into my community building.
This moment, right now, I have never experinced before. This thought has just made me stop and savour it by taking a deep breath and looking out of the window to see the birds busily coming and going to the feeders. I am so grateful that I can still see them for now.
Beautiful & very helpful for me today. Thanks,Butterfly.😊
Each new day that I am gifted is another day to live with compassion, peace, love, acceptance for the present of presence. To be ok with what is. I may as well be, for that is what is……….this present moment. Namaste.