Day 3315: Promises

Just now, I noticed that the Bidens have fulfilled one of their campaign promises from last year.

.

The New York Times, which promises “all the news that’s fit to print,” is all over that story, too.

This promises more uplifting news stories ahead for all us cat lovers.

I promise more uplifting images in today’s blog.

I promise that the label “weird” often comes up in my therapy groups, and it’s promising that people usually embrace the label “weird” in a promisingly positive and productive way.

I promise to check YouTube for a good song for this “Promises” blog.

I promise you that “Promises, Promises” has been running through my head since I started creating this post.

If you leave a comment below, I promise to respond very soon.

A promise I make and keep is to express gratitude to those who help me fulfill the promise of each new precious day, including YOU!

Day 3314: Inspirational Stories

Last night, I asked this question on Twitter:

Based on people’s responses to my question about inspirational stories, I’ve ordered the books I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven, Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller, and Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trial of American Democracy, by Jamie Raskin. I’m looking forward to reading those inspirational and, I’m sure, difficult stories.

Do you see any inspirational stories in my other images for today?

.

On National Chocolate Cake Day, here‘s what I find when I search YouTube for “Inspirational Stories.”

.

I’m sure I will be inspired by any comments or stories you share, below.

Thanks to all who inspire me to blog every day, including YOU.

Day 3313: What’s really on my mind

I like to express what’s really on my mind, and I’m so grateful I get to do that here, every day.

What’s really on my mind today is

• the state of the world,
• the state of the nation,
• the state of the state,
• people’s mental health,
• people not getting back to me,
• my birthday a week from today, and
• bringing our very shy and anxious cat Harley to the vet this afternoon.

Harley is so shy and anxious that we’ve only had home-visiting vets treating him since we adopted him seven years ago. What’s really on my mind about Harley is that

• the first vet who did that called him “a very fretful fellow”,
• he got so scared the last time Michael tried to put him in the carrier that he gouged Michael’s arm with his claws,
• he needs to see a full-service vet because he’s getting up there in age (like me!),
• he had a mysterious ailment last week that seems to have disappeared,
• Michael considered using the “towel technique” to capture Harley and deposit him in the carrier,
• it was really on our minds last night so we discussed it many times, and
• Michael discovered, much to our amazement, that Harley will go into the carrier if he puts his favorite treat in there.

What’s really on my mind right now is something Michael says a lot: “It’s never what you expect.”

What’s really on my mind is to share my images for today.

What’s really on my mind, here and now, is that I have a great spouse in Michael and that tomorrow is National Chocolate Cake Day.

This comes up when I search YouTube for “what’s really on my mind”:

What’s really on my mind is to express gratitude to my spouse Michael, to the Incredible Mr T, and to all those who help me blog every day, including YOU.

Day 3312: People’s responses

In the past, I’ve sometimes been hesitant to say or do something for fear of people’s responses. The responses I’ve feared have included:

• anger,
• disinterest,
• new upsetting information,
• misunderstandings,
• hurt feelings,
• needless worry,
• judgment,
• more work for me,
• disconnection, and
• no response at all.

I continually work on the courage to say and do what’s important without fear of people’s responses.

I wonder what people’s responses will be to today’s images:

I wonder what people’s responses will be to today’s National Days? And I assume that people’s responses to Michael’s first attempt at banana bread would be similar to mine: “OMG! This is so delicious!”

This is the first thing that pops up on YouTube when I search for “people’s responses”:

It helps me to know about other people’s responses to non-responsiveness.

No matter what people’s responses are, I’m grateful for you, every day!

Day 3311: Random

Since there are so many random ways I could start this blog post, why not with a definition of “random”?

My random thoughts about that definition include: (1) “randoms” are also known as “randos” and (2) I’ve been spending a lot of time with some random guys (and gals) on Twitter.

Now it’s time for some random images!

Netflix recommendations can seem very random.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “random”:

Here’s a random comment on that video:

I’m looking forward to your random comments on this random post.

Random thanks to all who read my random blog, including YOU!

Day 3310: Funny feelings

I’ve got a funny feeling that my images today are about “funny,” “feelings,” or both.

I’ve got a funny feeling that if you click on that screen shot to get free or discounted pies, it’s not going to work. Here’s the link to do that if you have feelings about pies:

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-pie-day-january-23/

I have a funny feeling that Joan wants to play.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “funny feelings”:

I have a funny feeling that there will be some funny comments on today’s blog.

One feeling I always have is gratitude, so thanks to all who help me post every day, including YOU.

Day 3309: How to express empathy

How do you express empathy? With spoken words? Written words? Facial expressions? Hugs? Other non-verbal communication?

Where do you express empathy? In person? On the phone? In ZOOM gatherings? On social media?

To whom do you express empathy? To family members? Friends? Acquaintances? Strangers?

Sometimes I’m not sure how to express empathy, but I know I feel it every day.

Do you see how to express empathy in any of my images for today?

If you comment, I will do my best to express empathy in my response.

Thanks for all who feel and express empathy, including YOU.

Day 3308: Who needs a hug?

Who needs a hug on National Hugging Day?

I’m assuming we all do, because there’s been such a vast reduction in hugging for TWO YEARS.

People need hugs to feel comforted and connected with others. Yesterday, in my therapy groups, I asked people to give themselves hugs during the mindfulness exercise. (If they didn’t feel comfortable hugging themselves, I suggested they give themselves mental hugs).

Several people spoke about how much they yearned to be in the same room together again. I hugged myself as I admitted that we had no idea of when that might be.

Do you see anyone who needs a hug in my images for today?

I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not hugging any squirrels today.

This is what I find on YouTube when I search for “who needs a hug.”

Now I REALLY need a hug.

I hope my gratitude, here and now, feels like a hug to you.

Day 3307: Note to self

Note to self: Write about yesterday’s therapy group, when people sent letters to themselves starting with “Dear (your name here)” and ending with “Love, (your name here).”

Note to self: It can be very healing for people to send themselves important messages with love.

Here’s my note (or letter) to myself for today:

Dear Ann,

Remember to balance other people’s needs with your needs. And stop mindlessly snacking on popcorn and sunflower seeds to distract yourself.

Love,

Ann

Note to self: Share the images for today.

Note to self: In my groups today, do that mindfulness exercise where people hug themselves, in honor of National Hugging Day.

(Note to self: Make sure you have the date right before you publish your blog post. )

Note to self: look for a YouTube video of 97-year-old pianist Ruth Slenczynska.

Note to self: express gratitude to all who help me create this daily blog, including YOU.

Day 3306: Chillax

Because I can’t seem to break my habit of worrying about (1) possible catastrophes, (2) not responding quickly enough to everyone, and (3) inexplicably high numbers for my weight and my INR, I am telling myself (and anyone else who needs to hear it) to chillax.

If you don’t know what “chillax” means, chillax. Here’s a definition.

These days, I can dance to my favorite tune or chillax, but I can’t have friends over because of Omicron.

Yesterday, in a remote Coping and Healing therapy group, we helped each other chillax by consciously letting go of fears and accepting our own worth.

I recently committed to doing another remote Open Mic on Friday and doing a presentation about my groups in February, so I need to chillax about both of those. I have a tendency to get nervous about performances, even though I’ve done so many before, so (say it along with me, please) …

Chillax.

After I get up every precious morning, I chillax by creating this blog. Do any of my images for today help you chillax?

I don’t know what “World Quark Day” is, but I’m going to chillax about that. Also, I’ve been eating way too much popcorn lately, which might explain the weight gain, so instead of eating popcorn on National Popcorn Day, I’m going to chillax.

Joan chillaxes by fetching her favorite toy.

What helps you chillax?

Ending each daily blog post with gratitude helps me chillax, so thanks to everyone who is visiting here now, including YOU.