I’ve been urging, stalling, resolving, beating myself up for literally YEARS now about using this little blog. Just to get myself to write, no matter how insignificant. And on the rare occasion when I have myself in front of the keyboard with my iphone list of notes/reminders of what to write about…I remain uninspired.

But then I opened an email to a group of ladies at the gym to let them know about a couple of yoga events, and in “talking” to them, I ended up with a big fat email that they probably don’t have time to read…but also, “chatting” with them via email like that changed my mood and my day. The thought occurred to me that I could’ve written the same thing, organically, for this little blog and it would be the same–probably too long and without purpose, but so what? Read it or don’t, what do I care? I can still check off the “I wrote SOMETHING today” box. And now I will, just by copying and pasting that email. And in thinking of the things that email took my mind to…well, they made my day better.

Who cares if anyone gets anything from it? I DID! Duh. The elementary insights that come in my 50’s never cease to astound me.

Maybe by age 80 I will be like a functioning adult.

Email:

“Happy Monday. Happy MLK Jr. Day. Happy inauguration week. Happy second half of January. For a laugh, I looked up what “month” January is and the following things came up:

• National Bath Safety Month
• National Blood Donor Month
• National Braille Literacy Month
• National Hobby Month
• Hot Tea Month
• National Oatmeal Month
• National Soup Month

Soooo, be careful in the tub–no hair dryers, ya hear? If you feel safe donating blood, give it a try. If you are ever interested in hearing about the process of donating platelets/plasma, let me know…a longer process, but so valuable for many people (cancer patients for example) and you get your own red blood cells back so it can be less taxing on your own energy. I don’t have much to share about Braille literacy, other than I remain truly amazed at what people can accomplish and “read” through their fingers. As for National Hobby month, do you have a good one? Let’s not call yoga one, since it’s just part of your lifestyle. I would call cooking one of mine, or writing. Hot tea month? PREACH! All winter, I’m drinking hot tea. My go-to is Earl Grey with a bit of honey and a splash of milk in a favorite mug. Thich Nhat Hanh says of tea:

“You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea.
Only in the awareness of the present, can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup.
Only in the present, can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, appreciate the delicacy.
If you are ruminating about the past, or worrying about the
future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of
tea.
You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.
Life is like that.
If you are not fully present, you will look around and it will be gone.
You will have missed the feel, the aroma, the delicacy and beauty of life.
It will seem to be speeding past you. The past is finished.
Learn from it and let it go.
The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it.
Worrying is worthless.
When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when
you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the
present moment.
Then you will begin to experience joy in life”

National Oatmeal month? I can report that Panera has a delicious steel-cut oatmeal on the menu, even for call ahead/takeout if it is morning, with pecans and berries. Delicious! Remember you can make a batch of oatmeal in the crock pot and reheat it with more milk or whatever days later. That way you don’t have to stand over it cooking. Because that slow cook oatmeal is so much yummier than the instant, really….and that way you control what goes in. I like raisins, cinnamon, a little honey. And as for National Soup month, that’s every month for me because my sister who lives almost across the street LOVES soup, and with her kids now grown and gone, she shares some at least every week!! Best part is, she usually just makes them up as she goes along. I find that some of my friends who don’t consider themselves good cooks are intimidated by soups. If that’s you, just dive in and try! You can roast any vegetables in the oven or steam them or sautee’ them or boil them (tomatoes…. or butternut squash…leeks…broccoli….sweet potatoes…ANYTHING) and then add veggie, chicken, or beef broth…or canned tomatoes…or leftover V-8….use the blender or potato masher or immersion blender… add leftover rice from last night’s dinner! Or a can of black beans. Frozen peas. Fresh garlic. See where I’m going with this? Just make it up. If you’re not an expert on spices, look at some recipes just for inspiration. Tomatoes like garlic and basil. Pork likes sage or thyme. Cauliflower likes a little milk, cheese, and caraway seeds…. 
Okay, well didn’t THIS turn into a giant long email! It changed my day, because I woke up cranky and blue and just hopped on to send you all the free yoga link– so thanks for being here and helping my day take a turn!!
Peace, love, and namaste….MB