Grateful Thursday

I am at a loss for words today.  I want to express gratitude for my life--having access to clean water, a roof over my head, food to eat.  I feel weird saying this as many people are fleeing their homes to avoid the fires in southern California.  It looks apocalyptic.  Truly dystopian and horrifying.  I am not a fan of snowstorms that shut down my state, or hurricanes that ravage people in those communities.  But fire is something else.  Truly terrifying.  Plus, the winds are devastating other areas in L.A.  Sending so many healing vibes to the people of Los Angeles.  I have reached out to my friends who are there and thankfully, safe currently.   

This is another reminder how important community is.  Hug those around you who you value and love.  I listened to my favorite podcast this morning.  They were discussing being fed up with checking out at the market and being inundated with--do you want to donate to the cause of the month.  They were considering doing self-check-out to avoid the interaction and saying no to the request.  [There is a prompt for the donation request in self-check-out as well.  It is less peer pressure to hit the button denying that request]

At any rate, after chatting with their guest, they reconsidered.  He noted how disconnected we are since Covid.  We don't trust people we don't know.  We choose to be alone to avoid interactions and he noted how damaging this is.  Why not go through the check-out line and engage with the person who is standing behind it?  Make an observation of the person.  Maybe they have a beautiful smile, gorgeous earrings, or something else to comment on.  I agree.  Let's return to decency and kindness.

I am thankful for my community of people and that it is growing.  My classes this week did not take off, but I offered them yesterday and today.  I chose to do sun salutations before meditating.  In addition, I found my dry brush to aid in exfoliation, lymphatic drainage, etc.  Showered.  Moisturized and am now safe and warm in my apartment.  I see a nap in my future as my sleep has been terrible the last week.  I cannot turn my brain off.  Some anxiety of what might come and ways to navigate the chaos.  Reminding myself that I have many things to be thankful for and people in my life who support me.

Also reminding myself to follow every crazy thread of the next four years.  I know there will be endless confusion and chaos.  It's designed that way.  Instead, I will hold on to my people and choose the threads that are not in my face.  Those are the terrifying ones.  Federal abortion bans.  Restricting contraception.  Reminding people that a woman's place in the home....this is the most offensive sentence spoken.  My role is not to be chattel.  Keep looking at what is there and avoid the distractions. 

I am thankful, today, that I was told I could be whatever I wanted to be.  I could choose to be independent, capable, fierce.