A classic for #TBT tomorrow. No matter who's at your table or what you're eating, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Jenny Writes
Writing. Life in Colorado. Other good stuff.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Weekly Roundup 45: Breathe
Just breathe.
If you like, try meditation breathing patterns such as 4-7-8 breathing or box breathing. Here are others to choose from.
But all you really need to do is get quiet and attend to your natural breath.
Go outside if possible, as being in nature has additional benefits for mental and physical health.
Sit or stand with your feet firmly planted, so you're grounded. Close your eyes if it's safe to do so.
And breathe.
Feel the air come in and go out.
That's it!
Spas and massages are great, but they're also expensive and time-consuming. Mindful breathing is free, and you can do it anytime, anywhere. Along with stress reduction, you might experience increased energy, improved focus, pain reduction, better sleep, and even boosted immune system function.
And did I mention it's free?
Take care, friends. See you next week!
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Weekly Roundup 44: Sigh...
I tend not to get political on this blog because there are other places for that. But let it be known that as I proudly voted for Kamala, I also voted against misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, religious extremism, an American oligarchy, and the general lack of truth and decency that pervade politics and society.
You all know how that turned out.
It was clear to me before November 6 that regardless of the issues, this election was really about anger. Men and women are angry, sometimes for different reasons, but history has shown that a man's anger trumps (I use that word intentionally) a woman's anger every time. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems that a woman's anger is taken seriously only when it is expressed in support of an angry man. (Women can be righteous, but we can't be right? Is that how it is?)
We have an uncertain road ahead. Please remember that we are strong and resilient. Please take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please reach out to your community when you need a shoulder. And please, please be very selective about how much media you consume. We've all reached saturation point after this year (and the years before), and it's absolutely fine to step away from the churn.
Take good care, and I'll see you next week.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Weekly Roundup 43: Election Day
Frankly, there's a lot to be upset about, not the least of which is the rampant misogyny. But as Denzel Washington said, "It is impossible to be grateful and hateful at the same time." So today, I choose grateful.
Thank you to election officials and poll workers who uphold this country's standard of free and fair elections.
Thank you to everyone who took the high road and refrained from sharing disparaging, insulting, and demeaning content.
Thank you to everyone who believes that all registered voters deserve to cast their ballots in safety and without unreasonable inconvenience.
Thank you to everyone who helped their friends, family, and community members exercise their right to vote.
Thank you to everyone who fact-checked and sought out reputable, trustworthy sources of information.
Thank you to everyone who was willing to think instead of simply react.
Thank you to everyone who made me laugh, including SNL and The Daily Show.
Thank you to pets, houseplants, and autumn leaves, thank you to tea, chocolate, and long walks, thank you to my husband, friends, and family for helping me keep my sanity.
And thank you to everyone across the country who submitted artwork for new voting stickers, including the one above, designed by Julia, a 12th grader from Loveland, Colorado. (See other great examples, including the Michigan Werewolf, here.)
I don't know what the next days, weeks, and months will bring, but here's hoping we can all Keep Calm-ala and Carry On-ala.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Weekly Roundup 42: Pebbling
This "love language" that's all over social media began with literal stones. Gentoo penguins often mate for life. During breeding season, the male will select a perfect little pebble and present it to the female. Once accepted, it becomes part of the rocky nest the birds will build on the ground together.
Even with (or maybe because of?) all the words humans have at our disposal, communication can be a tricky thing. Enter the metaphorical pebble. These small tokens of kindness, affection, and love might include texting a funny .gif or meme, sending a card, buying a coffee, collecting some beautiful autumn leaves, recommending a good book, and, yes, finding a smooth, pretty stone...anything that says "I'm thinking of you and want to brighten your day."
A lot of people in the world right now seem to be trying to convince us it's okay to treat each other badly. I do not agree. So, over the next few weeks, I'm going to try focus more on the pebbles and less on...well, you know, that other stuff.
Halloween is tomorrow! However you choose to celebrate, or not, I hope you have a safe and fun holiday and get only the best candy in your trick or treat bag.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Weekly Roundup 41: Spirals
Yet when people talk about spiraling, it's almost always negative. Spiraling into depression, chaos, anxiety. Feeling less able to cope with life's stressors. Feeling out-of-control, dragged down as if by the vortex of a whirlpool (another of nature's spirals).
I predict that the days between now and the upcoming presidential election will cause many of us to feel the pull of the downward spiral. These are such deeply unsettling times. So let me take this opportunity to remind us all that life is about opposites, which means there is also an upward spiral.
The psychological power of the upward spiral, where positive emotions lead to positive change, is well established. Researchers are finding that it often doesn't take a huge effort to turn a negative mindset into a more helpful one. If you need a boost, please read this post from my favorite joy blogger about the power of the upward spiral.
Take some time over the next few weeks to seek out the people, activities, and experiences that feel uplifting to you. Humor almost always helps. So do chocolate, cinnamon tea, and scents such as citrus, pine, and rose. Self-care is paramount these days, my friends, so please take time to prioritize your physical and emotional health.
See you next week!
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Weekly Roundup 40: Magnetism
In the 18th century, the idea of "animal magnetism" suggested that all living things possessed an invisible force or fluid consisting of "fire, air and spirit," which flowed in and out of our pores and affected health and healing.
Pseudoscience was big in those days, and of course that idea has since been debunked. Later, animal magnetism took on a different meaning, that of an irresistible charm or appeal, especially sex appeal.
Generally speaking, I think most of us outside of physics class see magnetism as the act of being drawn toward something or someone with a certain appeal. Music, art, a personality, an experience, these things can all be very compelling.
The other side of magnetism is the opposite of attraction: repulsion. When two like magnetic poles are brought close enough together, they will push each other away.
Though we may welcome attraction into our lives, it's a different case with repulsion. Yet, sometimes it is present--not so much in a "gag me, that is so gross" kind of way, but more like a "why do things keep getting in my way?" kind of way.
If you've been in that position, as I am now, the position of feeling like you can't get the poles to line up, you have my sympathy. It's a frustrating place to be, and it takes a lot of patience to work toward realignment.
But it is possible. If the Earth's magnetic poles can undergo a geomagnetic reversal, there's certainly hope for those of us who function on a much smaller scale.
I hope you attract great things this week!