Day 3254: Joan wants to know

Joan, our newish shelter cat, wants to know a lot, because she is a very curious kitty. She is not alone: I am very curious, too.

Yesterday, I posted this question on Twitter, claiming that Joan wants to know.

Joan wants to know why I chose to include her in that question. Good question, Joan! I know that if I do include Joan, I’m likely to love the responses even more.

Joan wants to know what you think about the images in today’s blog.

Joan wants to know if you are going to be celebrating National French Toast Day and/or Chanukah.

This is what I find when I search YouTube for “Joan wants to know.”

Joan wants to know if you knew there is a musical group named “Joan.”

Joan wants to know your thoughts and feelings about this blog post.

Finally, Joan wants to know if you know how grateful we are for you!

Day 3252: How I spent Thanksgiving 2021

How I spent Thanksgiving 2021 included:

• blogging,
• taking a walk,
• spending time with people I love,
• missing those who weren’t there,
• eating vegetarian “turkey” and pie,
• observing precious creatures at play,
• facing fears,
• staying safe,
• reaching 16K followers on Twitter,
• giving thanks for every precious moment, and
• listening to Anaïs Mitchell’s 2010 concept album “Hadestown.”

Now I’m thinking about how I’m going to spend the day after Thanksgiving (which will include working from home and reading your comments about this blog post).

No matter what day it is, I give thanks for you!

Day 3245: Radical Acceptance

Radical acceptance is

• something I first heard about when I was facilitating DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) groups in the 90s,
• defined online (see link, above) as “when you stop fighting reality, stop responding with impulsive and destructive behaviors when things aren’t going the way you want them to, and let go of bitterness that might be keeping you trapped in a cycle of suffering,”
• the title of at least one of my previous blog posts, and
• this book by Tara Brach, which was recommended to me by one of my patients.

I’ve been trying to practice radical acceptance of the past and of the present — especially the things I can’t control — which helps me feel more ready to meet the future.

Do you see radical acceptance in any of my other images for today?

I am practicing radical acceptance about differences of opinion. For example, I don’t like carbonated beverages with caffeine and I don’t like to play Monopoly, and that’s okay!

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

What are your thoughts and feelings about radical acceptance? Whatever they are, please accept my gratitude for visiting my blog, here and now.

Day 3235: Be mindful

“Be mindful” is good advice and is something I saw on a sign yesterday near work.

Because I try to be mindful of people I love, I want to wish my friend and co-worker Jan a happy birthday!

Let’s be mindful of all the riches around us.

Let’s be mindful about self care, shall we?

What else is there to be mindful about? What helps you to be mindful?

When I search YouTube for “be mindful,” I find this …

… and this:

Be mindful of the comments section, below.

Finally, be mindful of how grateful I am that you show up here, exactly the way you do.

Day 3234: Better Days Ahead

“Better Days Ahead” is a Pat Metheny tune which I have heard many times during better days. Last night, during a Boston concert where we all wore masks and showed proof of being COVID-free, Pat performed “Better Days Ahead” with incredible keyboardist James Francies and fabulous drummer Joe Dyson.

In days ahead, that video might get deleted from YouTube, so I better include this version of “Better Days Ahead.”

Here’s a 1989 version of “Better Days Ahead” with the late, great keyboardist Lyle Mays.

Last night, I was fantasizing that Lyle Mays was present in the Wilbur Theater, even though he’s in a “better place.”

I hope there are better days ahead for all of us. In the meantime, which of my images for the day are better?

I assume there are better November National Days ahead, because I don’t drink Cappuccino or Harvey Wallbangers.

There are better days ahead next week for my son Aaron and me, because we are taking a trip together to New York City.

What are your thoughts and feeling on better days ahead?

Gratitude makes all my days better, so thanks to all who follow this blog, including YOU.