I’m a middle child so I think I’m used to listening and feeling the energies of people around me.

whenever I look around me, whether it’s at the interactions of people to one another or looking at the planes flying above and wondering where they’re going. life is always an adventure.

my mother. She is and has always been, unequivocally, herself. She is honest, generous, compassionate and brave. She has such a tough exterior but she’s always been true to who she is.

book, stories, words. the very thought of them on this cold, wintry day brings a smile to my face. they’re a step somewhere other than here.

by truly listening to my patients, not only in what they say verbally but paying attention to their non-verbal cues and not letting my mind wander off to other things.

making an effort to keep in contact. giving them (people & things) attention when I do feel like it and when I don’t.

learning to set boundaries

Growing up in California, I took sunlight for granted. Now that I live in a colder climate, I’m much more appreciative of having had that as constant in my life. Now when I think about a basic need I have never had to worry about, I guess my mother comes to mind. She has always been a basic tenet of love and support for me.

Art is in the beauty of living. It is the wonderful world of perspective as diverse and deranged as every living/non-living thing on this planet and beyond. Do I create art? I create balance in the world around me, does that subtly tip the scale towards art? I don’t know. I don’t know if it matters that much to know. I’m just happy that I have eyes to see, ears to hear, a nose to smell, tastebuds for taste and presence to feel.

it’s been a lovely day set aside just for me. I had a busy day yesterday and it will be a busy week ahead but for today, I had sunlight at my fingertips, on my face, in my body and it was all just lovely.

it’s been a beautiful day of reflection and learning. Though I’m indoors watching the blue sky and sunny day overhead, I feel really touched and grateful for the interactions I’ve had all day.

mornings in-between patients. I get to sit or stand and gaze out my window while I reflect on the time that just went by in the shared experience of giving and receiving.

ahh, that’s a beautiful line. Thank you for sharing. it’s so true, I don’t have as much a penchant for writing as I like but sometimes you do see certain images or people, and you just know their stories are just waiting to be put into words. It’s snowing and sunny here in Amsterdam today. have a wonderful day where you are too!

oh same!! there’s just something so visceral about turning a page on a good book! and then sometimes you have to turn back a page or two just to catch up on where you are. it’s not quite the same with a kindle. when I was little, I used to earmark pages between fingers until I sometimes had my whole hand in the book. 😀

Agreed!!

Thank you. 🙂

Thank you Manda!

Thank you Nancy! I’m so glad to hear it. And happy to hear you were able to be part of your niece’s life in the end. It must have given her joy to know you were still family. 🙂

Thanks Manda! Same to you!! Have a beautiful day/evening wherever you are!