GratiTuesday – March 16th
Hello Yoga-Friends ~ This GratiTuesday feels like a continuation of last week’s pandemic retrospective, in that marking the one year anniversary of a national lock down has been all over the media – print, broadcast, social, et al. For this reason the anniversary theme has extended from the ramp up to remembering, to a single day observance, followed by these past few days of reflection on repeat. Full, wall-to-wall, 24-7 coverage.
As part of my personal self care practice I consciously limit exposure to media. One particular area omitted is Twitter. Many friends and colleagues find this hard to believe. And yet it is true. I have little first-hand knowledge of the Twitter-verse. No personal account. No accounts for either of my wellness businesses. I don’t tweet or follow the twittering of others. Why? There is just soooooo much news and information ‘out there.’ I had to draw the line somewhere. I drew that line just short of a loud blue bird.
That said, tweets do occasionally filter through. For example, while contemplating this week’s GratiTuesday post, I did some webby-searching for individual statements of reflection, and came upon a recent tweet by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. On March 14th, Senator Duckworth tweeted, “At this time last year, the United States officially locked down due to the COVID-19 crisis. Today, we take a moment of silence for the over 530,000 loved fellow Americans we’ve lost. And collectively take a deep breath. Help is on the way and our brightest days are ahead.”
There are several things that stood out for me about Senator Duckworth’s statement:
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- Calling attention to an historic collective experience.
- Remarking on the gravity of the experience.
- Inviting a pause to reflect and breathe in hope for a brighter future.
At this time last year, the United States officially locked down due to the COVID-19 crisis. Today, we take a moment of silence for the over 530,000 loved fellow Americans we’ve lost. And collectively take a deep breath. Help is on the way and our brightest days are ahead.”
I share your positive outlook, Senator Duckworth. I am grateful for elected leaders who work for our common good and endeavor to lift up all the people of our country; both literally and figuratively. Thank you.
As always, each Tuesday we invite one another to express one thing – in the comments field – for which you are grateful, and/or Share that sentiment as a post on your favorite social media site. It needn’t be lofty and can certainly reflect something we usually take for granted. I’ll go first… I AM so happy and grateful for brightest days ahead. Now your turn. I AM so happy and grateful now that/for: __________________________________________________________________
#laurelblossomyoga #omofficeyoga #corporateyoga #corporatewellness #virtualyoga #vitualmeditation #reiki #om #mindufulness #gratitude #gratituesday #senatortammyduckworth
GratiTuesday – December 29th
Hello Yoga-Friends ~ Happy GratiTuesday! We are creeping up on the final days and hours of what many have described as a dumpster-fire of a year. It seemed that each time we adjusted to some fresh new hell, a new and improved apocalyptic event would rip open our barely healed wounds and tear our hearts and souls to pieces. It was rrrrruuuufffff!
Rougher for some than others. A tragic number of people perished this year due to the pandemic. The survivors are heartbroken. Heartbreak, horror and outrage gripped our nation sparking protest marches over rampant institutionalized and systemic racism. Millions lost their jobs and homes, while the uber rich grew ridiculously richer. And througout the entire year we witnessed a political race for the presidency devolve into seditious and treasonous behavior that threatened to topple our democracy.
I’m not painting a pretty picture of 2020. Agreed. It wasn’t much fun either.
Here’s the thing though… as bad as it was, and it was baaaaad, I still managed to locate and celebrate the good. For example, we witnessed front line and essential workers laying their lives on the line every day to take care of us. Then there were the countless volunteers who stepped up to support them through homemade-food delivered to their workplaces. I’ve been amazed and touched by the increase in FREE community fridges and pantries popping up all over the place to feed those among us who consistently fall through the cracks in our society. We made music and sang from our balconies, broadcast live-streaming concerts and ballets, posted hand-drawn messages of hope in our windows and on our front lawns. We reimagined work and school and happy hour and holidays. We sucked it up and practiced social distancing, wearing uncomfortable, glasses-fogging, smelly face masks to protect our friends, neighbors, family, and strangers, too! AND we SCIENCED with improbable, incredible, undeniable success formulating a highly effective vaccine that has already begun to be administered. Wow!
Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers, eh? I am immensely grateful for the experiences of this year – every high and low – summoning the full spectrum of human emotion. What a roller coaster ride! Here I am now, perhaps a bit weary, but altogether appreciative for all that I have and know and love.
“I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted. Now I know 2020 is the year I appreciate everything I have.” ~ Melody Godfred
https://laurelblossomyoga.com/fredandfar.com/blogs/ff-blog/i-thought-2020-would-be-the-year-i-got-everything-i-wanted
As always, each Tuesday we invite one another to express one thing – in the comments field – for which you are grateful, and/or Share that sentiment as a post on your favorite social media site. It needn’t be lofty and can certainly reflect something we usually take for granted. I’ll go first… I AM so happy and grateful for all that I have and know and love . Now your turn. I AM so happy and grateful now that/for: ____________________________________ #laurelblossomyoga #omofficeyoga #corporateyoga #corporatewellness #virtualyoga #vitualmeditation #reiki #om #mindufulness #gratitude #gratituesday #2020 #melodygodfred
GratiTuesday – September 15th
Hello Yoga-Friends ~ It is GratiTuesday… again. Yup, each week on Tuesday we re-visit, re-mind and perhaps re-commit to a gratitude practice. Why? Because it works. It works as a tool for alleviating stress, diminishing depression, adjusting perspective… feeling better, happy or at very least, happier. It just works.
The ability to empower yourself through gratitude is a key to self-care, lifelong well-being and satisfaction, and yes, less stress.”
Najma Khorrami
Skeptical? Well, there is a growing body of scientific research supporting the positive benefits of gratitude. Google it. Or consider this Positive Psychology article, “The Neuroscience of Gratitude and How It Affects Anxiety & Grief.” The article reports on the neural mechanisms and chemistry responsible for feelings of gratitude and related positive effects on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. All very scienc-y stuff, if that’s your thing. https://laurelblossomyoga.com/positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/
Science is my thing. Gratitude is my thing. The science of gratitude is soooo my thing! Not only for my personal edification, but also useful in my vocation, as a corporate wellness consultant and service provider (omintheoffice.com). The capacity to offer clients science-based evidence regarding gratitude practices, such as meditation, to address increased anxiety and depression related to the COVID-19 pandemic, supports our clients’ commitments to investing in the health and well-being of their employees.
Now whether you or your loved ones are employed or not – and I am oh so aware of the great numbers of people who have been laid off, furloughed, or found their businesses unable to survive the ripple effect of pandemic safety protocols – gratitude practices are accessible to virtually everyone. And I mean that quite literally. Virtual gratitude practices, such as online meditations – either prerecorded or live-streaming – are widely available to anyone with access to the internet. Confused by the dizzying array of what’s ‘out there’? You are welcome to shoot me an email for specific resources. Follow the contact link or visit laurel blossom yoga on FaceBook. https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.facebook.com/laurelblossomyoga/events/
What’s more there are meditation and gratitude apps for our smart phones. One such gratitude app, the relatively new Gratitude Circle, https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.gratcircle.com/ developed by Najma Khorrami M.P.H., is a social media platform for sharing expressions of gratitude. The FREE app is available for download onto your smart phone in Apple and Google Play stores. Ms. Khorrami, who holds a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from George Washington University, and a Global Health Certificate from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, wrote in a recent article for Psychology Today, “The ability to empower yourself through gratitude is a key to self-care, lifelong well-being and satisfaction, and yes, less stress.” https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/comfort-gratitude/202007/gratitude-helps-minimize-feelings-stress
For example:
- Gratitude lowers stress hormones in the body.
- Gratitude has the ability to minimize caregiving stress.
- Gratitude also has the ability to minimize job-seeking stress.
If apps are not your thing, and moving away from our culture’s tendency toward technology-immersion is your preference, then perhaps a more analog approach to practicing gratitude would be more your thing. You might elect to begin a gratitude journal, or perhaps begin again with a previous gratitude journal practice. There are numerous ways to play at gratitude. Skeptical? Google it. Or poke around in the laurelblossomyoga.com/blog post archive for additional resources.
However, whenever, how often you choose to express gratitude is entirely up to you. Thank YOU for reading this (almost) all the way through. Press on to the final paragraph for another gratitude practice opportunity. ; )
As always, each Tuesday we invite one another to express one thing – in the comments field – for which you are grateful, and/or share that sentiment as a post on your favorite social media site. It needn’t be lofty and can certainly reflect something we usually take for granted. I’ll go first… I AM so happy and grateful to begin again. Now your turn. I AM so happy and grateful now that/for: ________________________________________________ #laurelblossomyoga #omofficeyoga #corporateyoga #corporatewellness #virtualyoga #vitualmeditation #reiki #om #mindufulness #gratitude #gratituesday #psychology #psychologytoday #scienceforthewin #neuroscience #gratitudecircle #NajmaKhorrami
GratiTuesday – August 25th
Hello Yoga-Friends ~ GratiTuesday, eh? I’ll bet there are folks out there who wonder how – or better yet – why I persist in celebrating and writing about gratitude each-and-every-blessed-week. I hear ya’.
The why is easy. The practice of locating gratitude (or appreciation) in my daily experience is my touchstone. It is simultaneously grounding and elevating.
Now the how of celebrating and/or writing about gratitude on a weekly basis changes frequently. Imagining it would be dull in the extreme to describe a writer’s process for how the writing is written. Suffice it to say, if there is a consistent thread through the how, it lies in commitment. I am committed to sharing something relevant to the beneficial practice of gratitude each-and-every-blessed-week. You’re welcome. ; )
Check this out. Recent research study cites a surge in anxiety, with 47% of respondents reporting their highest levels of stress and anxiety ever in their lives since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yikes! And I get it. I am stressed out, too. This is a scary time we are living through. However, this increase in stress, anxiety, and other debilitating mental health issues are not altogether surprising.
What is surprising are the reported surges in things like gratitude, shifts in perspective, authentic relationships, and the increased numbers of people seeking help for anxiety and depression – many through their employer wellness programs. (Hooray!)
Don’t believe me? I read it on the internet. It must be true. In all seriousness, my source is Modern Health, the global preventative mental wellness platform. The online article was posted June 23 2020, “Modern Health Study Finds Mental Health Support Is Needed Now More Than Ever as Employees Confront Covid-19 and Systemic Racism.” https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/covid-19-has-created-a-surge-in-anxiety-but-also-in-gratitude-and-perspective-301082023.html
Coronavirus alone was making employees more stressed than ever – almost half reported feeling more stress and anxiety throughout this outbreak than any other time in their life. As a result, we saw a significant shift in attitudes with over a third of employees more open to seeking support for mental health than pre-pandemic,” comments VP of Clinical Care at Modern Health, Dr. Myra Altman. “It was against this backdrop that America witnessed the killing of George Floyd which sparked off activist protests globally. We are facing compounding crises in America that is clearly creating a stronger and more urgent need for mental health support. 2020 has to be the year that we take steps to democratize and destigmatize access to mental health care for all.”
Key Survey Findings:
- Since Covid-19 adults more stressed than ever before
- Employed adults appreciate their jobs more, but fear returning to the office
- Pandemic has inspired a rise in gratitude and charitable donations
- Quarantine has improved many of our relationships, more so for fathers
- 50%+ respondents say money not as important as health and happiness
- More people now willing to seek mental health support (but there is a socio-economic status divide)
Based on those survey results I see reasons to be grateful. So, yeah, this week like every-other-blessed-week, I am once again celebrating gratitude. In your face, Covid-19!
Oh and if you’re looking for mental health support… CDC resources for more general Covid-19 information and a useful list of Hotlines addressing a variety of emergency circumstances: https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
As always, each Tuesday we invite one another to express one thing – in the comments field –
for which you are grateful, and/or Share that sentiment as a post on your favorite social media site. It needn’t be lofty and can certainly reflect something we usually take for granted. I’ll go first… I AM so happy and grateful for new perspectives. Now your turn. I AM so happy and grateful now that/for: _____________________________________________ #laurelblossomyoga #omofficeyoga #corporateyoga #corporatewellness #virtualyoga #virtualmeditation #reiki #om #mindfulness #gratitude #gratituesday #pandemic #mentalhealth #employeewellness
GratiTuesday – August 18th
Hello Yoga-Friends ~ ’Tis Tuesday. GratiTuesday… (Like Bond. James Bond.) Recently in conversation with a friend about the history of pandemics, because – nerd, am I – and found myself all caught up in the irony of our current connectivity technology.
Here we are globally connected through a literal world wide web of fiber optic cables, overland and undersea. We’ve got wireless internet hotspots and satellites beaming – streaming! – data up and down from earth to sky and beyond. Our connectivity has never been more robust. We can share information from anywhere to anywhere in the blink of an eye. When the reality of COVID-19 hit home here in the U.S. back in March of this year, we – and let me be perfectly clear, by “we” I mean the privileged few among the us that is the all of humanity – pivoted from onsite to online work, school, shopping, socializing, politicizing and entertainment overnight. Like a video game our entire lives became virtual.
So where is the irony? Isn’t it obvious? Advances in technology are pursued to improve yield and or quality. They are intended to lighten our loads, ease our burdens, broaden our minds, eradicate suffering, cure disease, link the far with the near… and open new doors of opportunity and possibility. Our technological advances are astounding. Yet far too often, far too few of the us that is the all of humanity reap the life-saving, mind-blowing, soul-soaring benefits of our technological achievements. Our web of connectivity fails to cover all of us, and this technology often fails to connect us with our individual and collective humanity.
Science journalist Latif Nasser investigates the surprising and intricate ways in which we are connected to each other, the world and the universe.”
Slicing deep into the irony pie, I serve unto you a healthy helping of intellectual entertainment via the internet, that – I hope – may remind us of connections perhaps forgotten, or heretofore unknown. I present to you the eminently enthusiastic Latif Nasser and his recently released Netflix science series, “Connected.” https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.netflix.com/title/81031737 “Science journalist Latif Nasser investigates the surprising and intricate ways in which we are connected to each other, the world and the universe.” Grab your popcorn and cuddle up with your wifi tablet for this totally binge worthy series. Here’s a trailer available on YouTube: https://laurelblossomyoga.com/youtu.be/B-aZrftUPlk
As always, each Tuesday we invite one another to express one thing – in the comments field – for which you are grateful, and/or Share that sentiment as a post on your favorite social media site. It needn’t be lofty and can certainly reflect something we usually take for granted. I’ll go first… I AM so happy and grateful to know I am connected. Now your turn. I AM so happy and grateful now that/for: _______________________________________________ #laurelblossomyoga #omofficeyoga #corporateyoga #corporatewellness #virtualyoga #vitualmeditation #reiki #om #mindufulness #gratitude #gratituesday #netflix #connected #latifnasser
GratiTuesday – August 11th
Hello Yoga-Friends ~ It’s GratiTuesday! I’m feeling it today. Could be because I’ve just returned from a brief 3-day vacation. Traveled less than fifty miles, so I guess it was a mini-stay-cation. Regardless of short duration and close proximity to the perceived safety of my home, it was a much needed break from reality. This was my first bit of “time off” since C19 (a.k.a. COVID-19) disrupted the entire human population of planet earth.
Now there are those who may be freaking out about the very idea of vacationing during a pandemic (insert Munch’s “The Scream” emoji here.) There is certainly cause for alarm. After all, some folks have been observed frolicking a bit too carelessly amid clear and repeated warnings to practice masked-social-distancing-at-all-times-when-in-public (etc.) from the CDC and other qualified medical experts. Follow up reports of increased infection rates among these careless frolickers do validate the recommended safety practices. It is a cautionary tale. Be Safe. Stay Well.
No need to panic, there are ways to vacation safely and stay well. If you are planning a vacation any time soon, consider reviewing Katie Conner’s aptly named cnet article “How to vacation safely this summer during the coronavirus”, published August 4th, 2020. https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.cnet.com/health/how-to-vacation-safely-this-summer-during-the-coronavirus/ Incidentally, that link will also present an option for listening to her article.
2. Be wary of travel to known coronavirus hotspots.”
The article features nine ‘rules’ for planning a vacation during the pandemic. None of this is rocket science, friends. All are common sense guidelines to consider during an outbreak of plague – or in this case, COVID-19. For example, “2. Be wary of travel to known coronavirus hotspots.” Call it an abundance of caution, and I would go so far as to avoid known coronavirus hotspots. Another hot safety tip: “5. Stay away from crowded areas.” And what should be obvious to all, “7. (Wear) a face mask,” and “8. Minimize contact with people not in your immediate group.” Like I said… common sense.
Of course, you might also want to consider risk factors; not just for location, but also for vacation activities:
Least risky
- Camping in the backcountry
- Renting a vacation home
- Dining outdoors
Medium risk
- Busy beaches, lakes
- Dining indoors
High risk
- Theme parks
- Outdoor concerts
- Indoor bars
- Flying to another country
That last one, ‘flying to another country”, is probably a non-starter at this point because many countries will not admit Americans. And who can blame them?
And for those who object to complying with any sort of restrictions or recommendations while living through a global pandemic – and ‘living’ is the operative word here… please consider that this is an equal opportunity virus and anyone – anyone!!! – you encounter could be an asymptomatic carrier… even me. Call me a bleeding heart, sappy, do-gooder – a moniker I wear with distinct pride, by the way – and I always wear a mask in all public spaces because I don’t want to kill your granny or your kids… or you.
And I’m here to tell you that vacationing safely during a pandemic is easy-peasy, slick and breezy. So go, have your vacation fun times! Be Safe. Stay Well.
As always, each Tuesday we invite one another to express one thing – in the comments field – for which you are grateful, and/or Share that sentiment as a post on your favorite social media site. It needn’t be lofty and can certainly reflect something we usually take for granted. I’ll go first… I AM so happy and grateful for empty or nearly empty beaches. Now your turn. I AM so happy and grateful now that/for: _________________________________ #laurelblossomyoga #omofficeyoga #corporateyoga #corporatewellness #virtualyoga #vitualmeditation #reiki #om #mindufulness #gratitude #gratituesday #staycation #pandemic #wearamask #safevacation
GratiTuesday – July 28th
Hello Yoga-Friends ~ It is GratiTuesday once again. Been thinking about change. Since this pandemic went global, we have all been experiencing rather radical changes in our everyday lives, both personally and professionally. Even as some of us return to our jobs and offices, many of these changes are likely long-term. Perhaps permanent. As we navigate the waves of infection-rates rising and falling and rising again, more changes are inevitable.
I am a small business owner. Two small businesses, actually. Om in the Office www.omintheoffice.com is a corporate wellness consultancy and service provider. laurel blossom yoga www.laurelblossomyoga.com offers consumer yoga, meditation, and Reiki. Neither had brick and mortar offices. Both had completely onsite business models. Both businesses pivoted to 100% virtual in mid-March.
Naturally I have concerns about my clients, their companies and employees, as well as my community of students and their families. Are they healthy – physically, mentally, emotionally? Will their businesses (jobs) survive this pandemic? How will that affect economies, policies, social structure? The pandemic has illuminated and magnified numerous systemic failures – locally, nationally and globally. Everything is connected, intertwined, interdependent, and everything is changing.
Amid all this change we – you, me, companies, societies, countries – we all have opportunities to initiate thoughtful and intentional adjustments – or perhaps complete overhauls – throughout the many areas we now see are obviously not sustainable. Fear not. We – meaning humanity – have been in worse pickles in our past; Cholera, The Great American Dust Bowl, and HIV/Aids spring to mind. We – meaning humanity – pull together, figure things out, make changes. I’m optimistic.
… change things up a bit while you reflect on the meaningful changes you intend to make in your life.”
However, if all the unanswered questions bouncing around your brain have been keeping you up at night, well, then I recommend… meditation. – You did see that coming, right? – Or you could take a gander at an MIT Technology Review article published June 30, 2020, “Beyond Covid-19 Lies a New Normal—and New Opportunities.” https://laurelblossomyoga.com/www.technologyreview.com/2020/06/30/1004575/beyond-covid-19-lies-a-new-normal-and-new-opportunities/ It offers something I call ‘BIG Tink’ (not misspelled). Ask unthinkable questions, stand on your head (because perspective is everything) and then imagine wild-out-of-the-box solutions. This includes changing the rules! Particularly if the rules no longer serve.
Please note: It is paramount that you take frequent breaks to breath, move, play, eat, meditate, whatever – when engaged in Big Tink. How do you know it is time for a break? Do you feel bored, tired, anxious, hangry, etc.? Is it fun? If it’s not fun and flowing, then it’s time for a break. You know… change things up a bit while you reflect on the meaningful changes you intend to make in your life.
As always, each Tuesday we invite one another to express one thing – in the comments field – for which you are grateful, and/or Share that sentiment as a post on your favorite social media site. It needn’t be lofty and can certainly reflect something we usually take for granted. I’ll go first… I AM so happy and grateful for change. Now your turn. I AM so happy and grateful now that/for: ____________________________________________________ #laurelblossomyoga #omofficeyoga #corporateyoga #corporatewellness #virtualyoga #vitualmeditation #reiki #om #mindufulness #gratitude #gratituesday #meditation#pandemic #MIT #change #systemicchange