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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 


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