Skip to main content

Year Four, Day 112: Healthy Routines

I am so pleased that I am at a place where I can truly enjoy immersing myself in a good novel, again.  Books have been my escape since I was a small child.  Escape has been a big part of my life.  I found comfort in going away on little imaginary journeys in my mind.

Coming back to earth, I often landed with a thud.

But now, at age 57, as a grandma who is finally finding balance in her life, I can truly enjoy a good book. And not land with a thud. Overall I enjoy the reality of my everyday life.

Thank goodness I have established some healthy routines.

Today, even on my last day off of spring break, I began with Qi Gong breathing exercises, followed by a hoop workout.  Then I read my bible, prayed, wrote in my journal, ate breakfast, cleaned the kitchen and put the makings for a sweet potato soup in my crockpot.  I was aiming for African Peanut soup, but I found a recipe for sweet potato soup with almond butter that sounded inviting.  It was from The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Slow Cooker Cookbook, by Madeline Given that I checked out at the library recently.

I tasted the broth before I left the house. It has a subtle Indian spiced flavor, with earthy tones from the sweet potatoes.  I will add coconut milk when I return from the library.

It is another lovely day. My allergies are in control for the most part. I feel a little blue though. Of unknown origins. Just slightly off. 

I am wondering if it has to do with the book I just finished yesterday: The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 

I basically inhaled this book.  I loved it that much. I also put a hold on all the books Mitch Albom has ever written.

What I've been left with is how our lives are so connected.  Like tiny spider webs. Each encounter with another person creates a thread.  We cannot exist without having connected in some manner with another person. Mitch explores the life of a young woman looking back on her life. I won't spoil it for you, but it was healing for me.  She experiences much tragedy. But looking at it from a distance, she finds peace.

What will I see when I look back on my life?  Can I live in a way now that I do not look back with regret?

I will just leave it at that today. As usual, I have so many more thoughts, but there is a world out there beckoning for me to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. And a pot of sweet potato soup at home that needs a splash of coconut milk!

More tomorrow.

Happy Saturday!

Love,



Zita 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Year Four, Day 328: Success at Last!! This is What I Do

Hello My Long Lost Friends! Or, perhaps it was I who was lost? And now I think I am beginning to find myself!  Under layers of fat, and self loathing!  How's that for an opening line!  Or perhaps the title of a novel:  Layers of Fat and Self-Loathing! Today I stepped on the scale.  I am weighing myself every morning these days. I was shocked! I told my partner the scale must be broken!  Yesterday I weight 186. Today 185! I have been on a strict intermittent fast for the past 10 weeks. I have officially lost 12 pounds!  And the best news is I think I not only can stick to this way of eating, I am actually beginning to really enjoy it!  And look how far I've come! I've been writing since May 12, 2015.  Over 8 years now!  I know this blog post says Year Four, Day 328, but there have been many pauses in blogging. For instance, when I am not pleased with progress or simply have no words! I was 53 when I first began blogging. I am now 61. I honestly feel better than I did 8 years

Year Four, Day 335: "Crisis Fatigue"

Hello Friends! I have missed you! I have been so utterly exhausted and downright depressed, that I couldn't summon enough energy to even lift my fingers to this computer keyboard to write.  Apparently there is a mental disorder for people going through crises.  Crises such as pandemics, systemic racism, political division, unemployment, police brutality, civil unrest.... It's called "crisis fatigue". When humans are presented with a threat, adrenaline is released to give us quick energy. This is called the "fight or flight syndrome". But when threats are overwhelming, and perceivably continuous, like this year, it overwhelms the system. People can feel numb, depressed, anxious and irritable. Yup. That's me.  I guess I'm quite normal after all! I found an interesting article that describes crisis fatigue, especially in relation to current events.  But it doesn't really address how to take care of ourselves during these unsettling times!

Year Four, Day 247: What Happened in Vegas...

  Expectations can be brutal. Especially when reality dashes them against the rocky shores of our souls. How's that for an opening line? I was so excited about my recent trip to Las Vegas.  I haven't travelled anywhere in so long. I do believe I have been bit by the travel bug.  I want the freedom to go places I have never been, see things I have never seen and experience life as a stellar adventure! My kids are young adults with families of their own.  I have my role as Zma, as Teacher Zita. But I am on a quest to find Zita. She's hidden someone deep inside. Covered in layers. Like an onion. I like the onion analogy. Notice the outermost layer of an onion - dry  and papery. As you peel off layers, the inside is juicy and sweet. I have paid my dues of sacrifice, shame and self deprivation.  What I want now is to embrace the life I have remaining. Have you seen the life pie chart? I don't know where I read this, but it stuck with me.  Draw a circle.  And then divide it i