“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
Lao Tzu
Life has been busy. I have started a new job and am at that time where I am waiting for the haze to lift. Trying to figure out systems that are new and programs that have changed since I had done this kind of work before January 2019.
My boss has been amazing. Supportive yet not looking over my shoulder unless it is to help. He gives me a lot of freedom and we seem to work well together.
I attended my first client meeting and we worked well together. The client was kind and obviously cared about their employees. That’s always important to me.
My weight loss journey is processing. I have hit the 5% body weight loss number, which was a goal for the first part of this program I am doing (BCBS’s Eat Smart, Move More). I like that they don’t dictate what I eat, but I have accountability. Most days I watch carefully, but I also know the days I need to simply enjoy something that sounds good to me, or eat what is provided at events. I’m pleased with my food choices overall, but need to work on that moving more part.
I had an amazing spa day with a friend in Asheville last week. We tried a new spa for us. They specialize in Esalen massage – which, as I understand it, incorporates an additional level of listening to the body as you are massaged. The therapist said she suspects my IT band issues are due to issues in the center of my back. She acknowledged that the lower back was usually the culprit but with me she sensed more stiffness in the middle. She gave me a few ideas to work it out. I only have to do them now.
After the massage I had an hour-long salt water float. It’s exactly how it sounds. There’s enough salt in there to force anyone to float, I suspect. You simply lay back and relax. It came to me easily. I am an easy floater and often just lay in the pool and float. No device needed.
This was in a black box. You could do it in complete darkness or let in a bit of light. They gave you earplugs to protect your ears from the salt. Mine didn’t work well. One lasted about 30 seconds. I never did find it. The other fell out later, but I did find it. After I got out of the pool I read the directions (the attendant had walked through things, so I hadn’t noticed them before.) You were supposed to put them in before you showered.
Anyway, I recommend it. My friend wasn’t quite sure how she felt. I did expect it to soothe my IT band, and it didn’t that night. But I felt some relief the next day – probably a combination of the massage and all those salts!
I went to a lovely funeral service for the mother of a friend of mine this weekend. The priest had never met her mother, who was 93 and suffered from Lewey Body Dementia. The priest had only been in North Caroluna for two weeks, as a matter of fact, and his knowledge of the woman came from a short phone call with my friend and reading the obituary.
My friend’s mother loved the beach and had a house there. One thing I took away from the service was he told the family that while she loved this beach house, she loved it more when they came to stay. He then went on to relate that imagery to a God that waits for us in heaven. I found it a beautiful thought.
I talked to a couple this week that is making their way through the foster parent hoops and then found out another friend has started the process to adopt an infant. Such joy to see such beautiful people sep out to care for kids who need good homes. I’m excited for all of them! These children will get kind parents who are dedicated to their welfare. All deserve that, but some don’t get it.
A dear friend is taking me to dinner tonight to celebrate my birthday. It’s fun to spread out the celebration, isn’t it? Always celebrate your life. It’s way too short not to!
The picture is from a tube float with my cousin a little over a week ago. Yes, it made me happy. One great thing about only working 20 hours a week is that I have time to give and to play.
In the Box, Out of the Box 