Day 2776: Silently Correcting

I am not going to be silent about the correct inspiration behind today’s blog post title.

I have to admit that I have been like that Daily Bitch, silently correcting some people’s

• grammar,
• words, and
• actions.

However, as I discussed in a recent post — Day 2791: Reasons you should speak up  — the time for silence is past!  Therefore, this morning, I got up the courage to stop silently correcting certain procedures at work, and I sent an email naming the problem and suggesting ways to move forward.  People may silently or not-so-silently correct my email, but why should I care about that?

Do you see any silent correcting in today’s other photos?

That last photo reminds me of Harley not-so-silently correcting me when I made this video in March about social distancing, starring Harley and our late kitty Oscar:

I’m wondering now if anybody is silently correcting my camera angles for that video.

In my Coping and Healing groups, we talk about the toll it takes when we excessively silently correct ourselves for our thoughts and feelings.  Yesterday, several of us resolved to silent our harsh internal critics, as best we can.  When you are silently and painfully correcting yourself, try this  positive self-talk, as suggested by Alyssa Mairanz, LMHC:

• turn “I am such a screw-up” into “I am doing my best, and that is enough.”
• turn “I am so messed up. What’s wrong with me?” into “I am human and no one is perfect.”
• turn “I don’t deserve happiness” into “I deserve to be treated with respect.”
• turn “I can never get anything right” into “I am not defined by my mistakes.”

Please don’t worry about anybody silently correcting your grammar (or anything else) when you leave a comment, below.

I am correctly non-silent about my gratitude to all, including YOU.

Day 2775: Overload

Yesterday, when I was in an elevator at Tufts Medical Center, overloaded with awareness AND worry about being out and about during the coronavirus pandemic, I saw this:

These days, we are dealing with an overload of

• bad news,
• uncertainty about the future,
• corruption,
• lies,
• trauma,
• injustice,
• deaths, and
• information (which is why I linked to a load of other material throughout this list).

Thankfully, I’ve had  an overload of  good care from my long-time cardiologist, Dr. Deeb Salem (featured in an overload of my previous posts here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here).

Even though this blog might have an overload of photos of Dr. Salem, here is another one from my appointment with him yesterday:

During the coronavirus pandemic, frontline health workers like Dr. Salem have to wear an overload of Personal Protective Equipment.  Dr. Salem, who has an overload of cardiology students wanting to work with him, told  one of them yesterday that he always schedules me for his last appointment of the day because we have an overload of things to talk about. Yesterday’s overloaded conversation included

• Dr. Salem’s personal experience of working with Dr. Anthony Fauci (who is “a very smart and very good guy”),
• discussions of my having had the coronavirus in March and possible lasting effects of that,
• scheduling an echocardiogram to make sure that there is no permanent damage to my heart because of COVID-19,
• the possibility of Dr. Salem and I writing a book together,
• my stating that Dr. Salem and I have an overload of respect and love for each other,
• Dr. Salem saying, “I think you’re doing great,” and
• scheduling our next overloaded appointment for the day after my 68th birthday in February.

Dr. Salem said he was interviewed on Boston TV recently about his experiences working with Dr. Fauci, but I can’t find that interview in the overload of videos out there about Dr. Fauci.

Here’s an overload of other photos from yesterday:

Michael overloads our plates with nutritious food, ever day.

Here‘s “Overload” by Zinnia, which has been loaded over 7 million times on YouTube.

I’m looking forward to an overload of comments, below.

As always, I have an overload of gratitude to all, including YOU.

Day 2751: One Step Closer

Yesterday, when I was one step closer to the seaside on the South Shore of Boston, I heard “One Step Closer” by The Doobie Brothers.

When I searched YouTube for “One Step Closer” I was one step closer to discovering this great live 1992 video of the Doobie Brothers’ One Step Closer Tour stop in Santa Barbara.

If you want to hear the tune “One Step Closer,” it’s playing in the introductory moments of the video before the Doobie Brothers take the stage.  As I watch that concert, I contemplate how we’re one step closer to returning to live outdoor concerts like this in the USA, but NOT YET.  We have to take this process “Minute By Minute” (starting at 22:22 in the video), with safe and careful steps the entire way.

Here are the Doobie Brothers performing “One Step Closer” in 1991 on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson:

I took the step to share that video because a full version of “One Step Closer” was NOT part of the live One Step Closer Tour concert footage above.

Now I’m one step closer to sharing my latest photos with you.

Every day, we’re one step closer to the end of our cat Oscar’s life, but he’s still our bedmate with warm paws.

What are you one step closer to, here and now?

The one step I always use as my closer is gratitude, so thanks  for taking steps to get closer to me, today.

 

Day 2737: Best ideas

One of my best ideas recently has been to spend time watching the Ken Burns PBS series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.

One of Ken Burns’s best ideas was to use “Sligo Creek” by Al Petteway and Amy White as the theme music for that series about the history of U.S. National Parks.

One of my best ideas has been to visit U.S. National Parks including Acadia, Arches, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.

When I couldn’t sleep recently and couldn’t figure out why, I shared this best idea by Dr. Seuss with my husband, Michael:

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.”

Do you see any best ideas in these recent photos?

A best idea is to drink herbal tea before bed. Also, veggie burgers are another best idea.

Another best idea is for my son Aaron (seen in this photo discussing best ideas with his mother) …

… to get tested for COVID-19 before he joins us at home on Wednesday. That photo also illustrates some best ideas of social distancing.

Please share any best ideas in the comments section below.

My best idea about ending my blog posts is to express gratitude to everyone, including YOU.

Day 2703: It’s hard to see

It’s hard to see …

• when this pandemic will end,
• so many people ignoring social distancing rules,
• all the deaths from COVID-19,
• relief from the suffering,
• all the social injustice,
• when you have tears in your eyes,
• all obstacles in our way,
• the beauty of each moment,
• into another’s heart,
• the inappropriate behaviors of world leaders,
• the state of the world,
• who is going to save us,
• what people are really thinking,
• what animals are really thinking,
• when you’re overwhelmed,
• when you’re looking away,
• when so many things are hidden,
• when there are so many different perspectives,
• when your glasses fog up, and
• when the world is foggy.

In case it’s hard to see what’s going on in this photo …

… all but one of the balloons at CVS yesterday were masked. I said to Michael, “There’s one in every crowd.”

It’s hard to see any song I like on YouTube called “It’s Hard to See,” so here is “It’s Hard to be Human” by Kina Grannis instead.

It’s not hard to see why people would write these comments about that song:

Emma Anderson
6 days ago
Kina Grannis: The singer to soothe the nation.

Jasmine Her
6 days ago
I feel this song so much. I had literally been through a horrible rut since quarantine began. I’m starting to finally feel okay, trying to learn and grow.

Tabitha S-O
6 days ago
Well, I’ve been crying for a bit listening to this but it’s ok to feel my feelings

It’s hard to see how so many people don’t know it’s ok to feel their feelings.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know it’s not hard to see gratitude here.

Day 2698: What’s eating you?

One thousand, six hundred and four days ago (I‘M counting, okay?), I created the post Day 1094: What are you eating/What’s eating you.

Is it eating you that

• I like to start posts by referring to my previous posts?
• Your weight has changed during the pandemic because of what you’re eating?
• People aren’t wearing masks?
• Bicyclists behind you are still yelling “BEHIND YOU!” even though that might spread the coronavirus?
• The wrong people are constantly apologizing?
• There is such disparity in who is suffering more from the pandemic?
• It’s difficult to know who to believe these days?
• There’s so much uncertainty about the future?
• Pets have such short life spans?
• People don’t seem to know what a span of six feet is?
• So many people support corrupt and incompetent leaders?
• So many familiar things are disappearing?
• The good is often hidden from view?
• I take and share so many photos?

Here‘s “What’s Eating You?” from the BBC production of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:

What’s eating you? Please share in a comment, below.

Whatever’s eating me, a little gratitude helps me face the day ahead.

Day 2688: What is essential?

I believe I may have published another blog post with the title “What is essential?” However, I’m creating this post on my iPhone, which makes it more difficult to check past posts, and I’m deciding that knowing that is not essential.

Other facts are much more essential, these days.

I often take photos of things that are essential to me.

I essentially don’t know how these two images …

… got onto my iPhone. Other facts are much more essential these days.

Because of the work I’m doing — remotely providing group and individual therapy at an essential Boston hospital — it’s essential that I take a day off once in a while, which I’m doing today.

If you’re interested in attending a remote Open Mic this Friday May 15, 7 – 9 PM U.S. Eastern Time, when I’ll be performing a slightly rewritten version of my original song “Triggers,” it’s essential that you sign up by the end of the day before (May 14), using this link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b4eadaa23a2f49-jamn3

The essential Edinburgh Fringe Festival has been cancelled this year — the first time in its history — but here‘s my performance of “Triggers” at last year’s festival:

What’s essential to you?

It’s not essential that you leave a comment, but if you do, it’s essential that I express my sincere gratitude.

Day 2683: Don’t even talk to me unless …

Don’t even talk to me unless you are

• paying attention,
• thoughtful,
• honest,
• interested in others’ responses,
• open-minded,
• self-aware,
• authentic,
• friendly,
• committed to helping yourself and others survive,
• wearing a mask in public places and otherwise following social distancing orders,
• hopeful,
• realistic,
• able to laugh at yourself,
• able to laugh at me, and
• kind to animals.

DO even talk to me about what you see in this post.

I can’t even talk about how anxiety-provoking it is when an animal is sick, because they can’t even talk to you about how they’re feeling and I can’t talk to Oscar about the ultrasound he’s having today.

Are these two people even talking to each other?

.

Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda can really talk about friendship.

.

Don’t even talk to me unless you accept my appreciation and thanks that you showed up today, exactly the way you are.

Day 2673: Messages of Encouragement

Thank you, dear readers, for all the messages of encouragement you’ve given me for my blog posts, my photos, my original songs,  my work, my sense of humor,  and my various adventures, through sickness and in health.

The messages of encouragement people left about yesterday’s post, featuring my t-shirt and song “Left the House Before I Felt Ready” were incredibly profound. I am now thinking about ways I might market my t-shirt and song, encouraging people to share those messages and also support a worthy charity.

My long-time and encouraging reader Maureen (a/k/a Sitting on my own Sofa) left this message about my “I Left the House Before I Felt Ready” song …

Sitting on my own Sofa

I think that you also stayed at home before you felt ready. 😊

… which encouraged me to write this additional verse:

I stayed at home before I felt ready.

The virus has made us all scared and unsteady.

I caught it in March and then flattened the curve

Even though isolating gets on my last nerve.

To protect other people and save my own heart

Staying home before ready was just doing my part.

I encourage you to listen to “I Left the House Before I Felt Ready,” imagining those new messages at the end:

.

I am now encouraged to start writing songs again, ignoring and otherwise overcoming any messages of discouragement from myself or others.

Do you see any messages of encouragement in the images I captured yesterday?

 

If you want to see the messages in any of those smaller pictures, I encourage you to click on them to expand.

Messages of encouragement and gratitude to YOU, here and now.

Day 2663: One Moment at a Time

Many moments ago, I published my most recent blog post, wherein I wrote

Consider taking these days one MOMENT at a time.

I took my own advice and took yesterday one moment at a time.  Here are some moments, at a time when we all need to notice the better moments:

Yesterday, one moment at a time,

• I facilitated another Coping and Healing group remotely,
• We all practiced social distancing,
• We took Oscar to the vet because of some scary symptoms,
• The vet called us in the parking lot outside the clinic and diagnosed him as “handsome,”
• They took lots of tests,
• Despite our fears, they did not keep Oscar overnight,
• Michael made a delicious meal which even he thought was great, and
• Everybody seemed fine.

Today, one moment at a time, I’ll be remotely facilitating two Coping and Healing groups,  conducting a mindfulness exercise for many of my co-workers at a Boston hospital, and also receiving Oscar’s test results.

What’s your favorite song with the word “moment” in the title? This is the moment-ous song that occurred to me, moments ago:

One moment at a time, I’ll be appreciating your comments and expressing thanks to all.