…expressing thoughts of giving and receiving…

I don’t “celebrate” Thanksgiving. I think it’s hypocrisy, to gather and tell all what you’re Thankful for, when Native Americans were killed, raped, and land was stolen. Columbus didn’t discover America and I believe that history lesson is skewed.

I do, however, enjoy good food. I’ve also been known to enjoy libations. I used to gather with my family, while my grandmother was still alive. Now that she’s gone, I’m able to honor the sacrifices in my own ritual.

I’ve touched on the concept of believing in what YOU believe; because YOU did the work and not because someone else told you what to believe. Challenging yourself to keep an open mind, continue growing and changing. Enriching depth of self by LEARNING. Also accepting others’ beliefs especially if they differ from yours. Ask questions, engage in thoughtful conversation, explore each others beliefs to find common ground. Challenge each other, with an open-minded approach, to appreciate differences in beliefs.

I’m grateful for the freedom to choose. There is alot of power in choice. Power to explore, learning/growing/changing along this journey. I choose to live in gratitude, everyday.

Which brings me to my announcement of development. I’m currently working on developing a curriculum for holistic health approach classes. Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced levels of tips/guidance to living in your best holistic Wellness. This is still in the very early stages. I’m hoping to have hands on workshops, podcasts, and virtual/online aspects. If you have any thoughts/questions/concerns… PLEASE type them in the comments below…I’d really like to hear what you think about this development.

I’ve made some business cards…

I was encouraged to share my thoughts/experience by a stranger at the grocery store. I was choosing my items and a woman comes over to me and asked …”do you know anything about steaks”… She had 2 individually wrapped steaks in her hands…I replied “…why do you ask…” She went on to tell me how her husband usually does the shopping, but he just got out of the hospital and wasn’t able to shop quite yet. “Was he in for cardiac issues…” I asked…”Yes, he had bypass surgery and stents…” We stood chatting about healthy food choices, in general, also specific to heart health with consideration of some of the meds he was on… Through our conversation we both learned alot. The “it’s a small world” moment came when she asked me which ER I worked in,… turns out a nurse coworker is related to this woman… We chatted a little bit more. She shared her gratitude for my advice, and how helpful I was. She suggested I share with others, so I thought of developing classes. What do you think??

I started working in Home Health Care. I take care of a man in his 30’s. He’s a quadraplegic as a result of a car crash 10 years ago. I work overnights on the weekends. I wasn’t sure if this new position was going to work out for me. I was challenged and doubted myself. As I get to know him, his girlfriend, and family… it’s becoming clear that I was meant to cross paths…this weekend will be my 3rd working with him. Their need for a weekend/nightshift nurse was desperate. I’ve also met some nurses, with my agency and the other agency that provides dayshift coverage, that show a joy for this type of nursing. I had become so jaded, but really missing the Emergency Room. I needed to adapt/apply my skills to help this man. We have conversations about real things. I ask about his thoughts/opinions…treat him as a 30 year old man who just happens to be quadraplegic NOT  just a quadraplegic that is a 30 year old man. I’m feeling better about this position and grateful for the opportunity to experience another side of nursing.

There have been multiple fox sightings, around base camp. We think one lives in the woods out back, comes up on the porch, and hunts the mice/chipmunks, as evidenced by the paw prints…

DID YOU KNOW… The most common fox in North America is the red fox. Not all red foxes have reddish fur. The fur has variations, just as human hair does… Hair is often associated with psychic energy. Hair and fur are ancient symbols for energy and fertility. With the fox, it is the undercoat which is the primal energy source…the outer layer protects and camouflages..as the outer hair changes so does the inner creative force…many Native American cultures would use the fox in their rituals. As symbols of protection/warmth/healing…in Persia and Egypt, the fur was sacred, thought to help the deceased get to heaven, to bring favor with the gods…fox shares medicine of CAMOUFLAGE.. it’s a sign to become like the wind which is unseen yet able to weave into and through any location or situation…

A meditation exercise: try to visualize your body as part of your surroundings, full of the colors…in your mind’s eye, moving with stealth and grace, unheeded by others…practicing the art of camouflage.

Observing the acts of others rather than their words, keeping silent about who/what/why you’re observing. Learning from this art might gain confidence in the ability to know what will happen next…after observing for a while you become aware of a certain predictability…Fox medicine teaches the art of Oneness through it’s understanding of camouflage. This applies on all levels, “from rocks to God”, asking us to see all types of uses for Oneness.

I’m grateful for all your support and encouragement as my girls and I travel through our adventure/journey. I’m grateful for nature to nurture us along the way. I’m practicing living in my gratitude, daily.

Credit for “DID YOU KNOW”…

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews

Medicine Cards…The Discovery of Power Through The Ways of Animals by Jamie Sams and David Carson