Spreading kindness and positivity. I was positive about making changes during the shut down. I cooked daily, walked City Park and taught yoga. I listened to multiple podcasts and was living a pretty clean eating type of life. Slowly, as things reopened, I reverted back to what was normal to me. Dining out or ordering take out. I stopped making kitchari (the most complete protein and vegetarian inspired dish with curry spice, coriander, ginger and turmeric. super good for your digestive system). I still walk but have to make an effort to do it. There was much more ease during the shutdown in that regard.
I suppose I acknowledge that as much as I enjoyed the forced changes, pivots, adaptations, I still feel comfort in what I had been doing. Do I love cooking at home? Not really. It can be challenging to prep and cook for one person. Having to do it made sense and now I have options. I need to find a balance and prioritize it. There is a balance between ordering take out and cooking at home. And, I was enjoying being creative. I made cold summer pasta salad and slow cooked lentils from recipes that a friend posted on social media. I loved seeing what Rick would present next. I have made lentils and pinto beans multiple times this summer. On Tuesday, had I had onions, carrot and celery (mirepoix), I would have made a pot of something. It was the perfect day for it. The temperatures dropped in Denver and I found myself sporting a hoodie and jeans. This is atypical of early September. I would have loved to have made a pot of lentils or green chile.
Speaking of green chile...I met the Goddess for dinner the other night and she wants to finally visit Santa Fe. We are heading down in early October to explore the City Different. I am excited since I have not visited since early June. We will have dinner with Melody and potentially try the margarita trail or go hiking. I was shown a spot on my last visit that was pretty great! Or we can check out yoga and/or the Himalayan salt caves. I am uncertain if Ojo Caliente is open again after their fires. Or if they are open to people that are not staying at their hotel. There is so much unknown still. I considered going to hot springs in Colorado on my last staycation but it seems difficult to pin down a time where I would not be standing in line. I frequent a korean spa in Denver and am so thankful they are open. They have limited the soaking to two hours and number of people within the facility. I know they are struggling to stay open. Yesterday, I had arranged a body scrub and there were women walking around without a mask in spite of the notices saying that masks are required in every area. It's frustrating to see that since I want the facility to stay open. I do not want them to have to shut down since a few people will not follow a simple rule. Is wearing a mask while receiving the body scrub comfortable? No, it isn't. It gets wet. Yet, I do it to ensure that I have the opportunity to receive this service.
I want to find a balance in my life. And, I choose to spread kindness and positivity as opposed to buying into fear. There is an ample amount of that currently. I choose kindness. I hope to reach out to friends and family via letter or phone today. I got out of that habit in my return march to what is normal as well. I loved that I wrote letters during the shut down. And, my little sister and her friend, Melanie, and I have been sending each other books. I support this habit as well.
Celebrate today and spread some positivity!
