April | 2016 | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

From our walk this morning

1. Truth: Sugar is keeping me awake this afternoon. I don’t drink coffee, I can’t stop working just now to go take a nap, and I already tried taking a short walk to snap me out of my slump, so besides walking across the hall and asking my colleague to slap me every ten minutes, sugar is my only option left. I’m eating a donut right now, Old Fashioned Sour Creme Glazed Plain from Lamar’s Donuts, and a banana, all washed down with a big glass of water. We had a celebration this morning in the main office for “National Student Employee Appreciation Day,” so there were leftover treats and I’m taking advantage, even though I know it will only buy me another hour or two before I’m dragging again.

2. Truth: We’ve got more snow on the way. Depending on which forecast you look at, it’s either going to be a couple of inches or almost a foot. It’s going to be sloppy, crappy, dreary weather for the next three days. It’s totally normal for this time of year, but I sure was hoping to work in my garden this weekend, maybe even go hiking, and my dogs (well, Ringo) are much happier when they can go out in the backyard (Sam’s just as happy on the couch).

3. Truth: Environmental factors, internal and external, are real. As many affirmations as you throw at yourself, sometimes it’s cold and wet and muddy and sometimes you are super tired and can’t think straight and that’s just the way it is. As positive as you might try to be, there are real conditions that you have to work with, work around, work through. I can’t make myself not be tired just by wishing it (or by drinking a green smoothie), and I can’t change the weather with my good attitude. Which reminds me of one of my favorite Pema Chödrön quotes, “Affirmations are like screaming that you’re okay in order to overcome this whisper that you’re not … maybe you’re not okay. Well, no big deal. None of us is okay and all of us are fine.”

One wish: That no matter what our conditions are, we relax and remember that none of it is that big of a deal, “none of us is okay and all of us are fine.”

One of my favorite trees

So glad to be partnering with Yoganonymous to share this list with a larger audience.

1. Man offers free hugs at Sanders and Trump rallies and gets shockingly different responses. If you are interested, here’s an extended version. Im all for more hugs and less yelling.

2. This dog and duck grew up together, and them playing is one of the most awkward, cutest things ever. And in related news, Duck pals: A girl and her duck.

3. This gif of what overthinking looks like is hilarious, because it’s so accurate.

4. A birdbath for hummingbirds. The only way I’ll stop watching this video is if someone makes me one of my own.

5. Limited Edition Memorial Bracelet: Feeds 22 Shelter Dogs in Honor of Your Beloved Pup from I Love Dogs. What a great idea. They also sell a 2-Pack “My Pet Is Home Alone” Wallet Cards, which is a brilliant idea.

6. The feminist cupcake sale that led to death and rape threats. “It started with male students upset they’d have to pay the full $1 for a cake … and ended with the realisation we still desperately need feminism in the 21st century.” Word.

7. Recipes I want to try: potato pizza, even better, and fresh spinach pasta, and artichoke gratin toasts — all from Smitten Kitchen, quickly becoming one of my favorite recipe sites. Also, Zucchini Lasagna. And for dessert, Lemon Gelato and this GIANT Peanut Butter Cup which I am still having trouble believing is even real. And if you don’t like any of those, maybe try this, Please eat the dandelions: 9 edible garden weeds.

8. In one letter, a teacher sums up what test scores can’t. This is so sweet. What lucky kids.

9. A photographic documentary of Fukushima, what it looks like now, an amazing set of images and story from photographer Arkadiusz Podniesinski. In related news, this video of The Guardian Of Fukushima’s Animals. I can’t even imagine having to leave my animals behind in such a disaster, and would be so grateful to this man for going back, for taking care of them for me, for us.

10. Photographer Reveals How Much Online Images Are Photoshopped (13+ pics). Fascinating.

11. A Writer’s Rules for Meditation. “Best-selling author Natalie Goldberg has been practicing meditation for nearly half a century. Here are her four rules for making meditation a regular part of your life.” In related news, Buddhism and meditation for beginners — a Lion’s Roar guide.

12. A 150-Year-Old Porcelain Warehouse in Japan Opens for Daily ‘Treasure Hunts’ for Just $45. I want to go to there.

13. You’re a Fucking Miracle, wisdom from Meg Worden. The first part of this post is worth printing out and taping to the fridge, where all the best things go.

14. An Open Letter To Tiny House Hunters on Terrible Minds. I just got done watching the series Chuck is referring to, and as he always does, he had me fighting for breath I was laughing so hard at what he wrote about it.

15. My first Weight Watchers — on being groomed for disordered eating. This post comes with one of the best opening set of lines ever, “I still can’t eat defrosted peppers. They taste like sadness.”

16. Family Leaves Husky For 3 Hours, Dog Redesigns The Apartment. What a disaster…

17. The Difference between Practicing Yoga Postures and Having a Yoga Practice. “There are many people doing yoga poses today, but there are far less people who have a yoga practice.” An important clarification.

18. Being tired isn’t a badge of honor. Word.

19. My wife surprised her coworkers when she came out as trans. Then they surprised her. “It’s a lot of energy to judge people, you know. It’s way more fun to celebrate and support them for who they are.”

20. The Joy of Doing Less: 3 Ways to Reclaim Your Time. It’s worth a try.

21. 152 Minutes With … Julia Cameron. “The author of The Artist’s Way has been unlocking our inner creative spirits for more than two decades, not to get too woo-woo about it.” I am forever in debt to Julia Cameron for her morning pages practice.

22. American Eagle Thinks Body Positivity is a Joke. The fact that any of the models involved in this weren’t told it was a joke is just awful. Yet another example of why I don’t like April Fool’s Day, or most pranks.

22. 21 Timeless Strategies to Lower Your Daily Stress from Marc and Angel Hack Life. I’ll take all the help I can get, whatever tips there are for lowering my daily stress.