Scandinave

 #1 - After not getting a professional massage for a decade, I decided to make that a part of this year. Could I could find someone that not only has the skills, but the loving energy that the Franciscan sister emanated when she'd give a massage at a local retreat center?  So far I've kind of shrugged my shoulders. I've enjoyed them, but haven't really thought the people I've tried I'd return to.

Then today, I changed my mind!  However the person who gave my massage is definitely not local.

#2 - There is a little woods with a short path just across the street from where I'm staying.  Tonight I was back on the computer preparing to go home and the woods told me to stop and come see them.

I listened.

#3 - I told my friend before I left on this trip that it felt like a honeymoon trip, though I'd be going alone (this is not the first time I've thought this). However there wasn't a single moment on this trip that I wished I had someone traveling with me.  

 I'm also super grateful to have people I love to return to.  If my life were here, knowing no one, that happiness would quickly turn to immense sadness.

#4 - I went back to a spa today, where the idea is 10-15 minutes hot, 5-20 seconds cold, 15 minutes relax in a hammock etc.  I wasn't sure when I tried it last week if I'd be able to do the hot/cold.  It never appealed to me.  To my surprise it was both easy and I loved it.  In part because the hot spaces were spacious and had windows (the setting was magnificent), and the cold was only 54 F/12 C, so not like a frozen lake. I think the snow fed lakes I briefly swam in the last couple summers prepared me for that. 

Anyway, it was the perfect way to spend my last day here and to absorb my trip.

#5 - When I went to the spa last week I didn't know what I was doing. It was fun to return today, confident and jump right into the rhythm.

New Journal

 #1 - I have filled enough journals to come to trust in the magic of them ending when an energy shift is about to happen/a change is taking place.  So tonight I wasn't surprised to finish the bright red one I've used since Feb 10th.  I always like to have a few journals in waiting so that I can pick the one that feels right. Today I had more than the usual 3 or 4, I had 9.  The one journal I've had in mind that may be up, clearly was no longer the right energy after the last week.  The one I selected, I think was partly to do with the image (flowers), but more so to do with the texture. It isn't flat, I can lay my hand across it and feel it.

Still I wasn't quite ready to write in it today, so I decided to do a gratitude blog day instead of a journal gratitude day.

#2 - Being grateful, that in life I do things ahead of time, otherwise the fact that I had a family member in the hospital this week would have had additional stress. So often I need the space that preparing for things ahead of time allows.

#3 - A friend and I made a plan early in the week for me to stop at her place for dinner tonight and to do a little writing.  Both things were needed today.  I am feeling withdrawn/drained, however I can still express myself thru the pen.

#4 - I have been having shoulder issues the past month and a half.  However, if my shoulder still feels tomorrow AM like it does tonight, it has improved enough I plan to call and cancel my physical therapy appointment this week.  (Writing this makes me concerned I'm going to jinx that, I just knocked on wood.)

#5 - There are two things (well kind of 3 I guess) that I turn to, that feel like a hug/embrace, and right now I could use that.  Gentle Whispering ASMR, Latte ASMR and Eckhart Tolle.  Tonight Eckhart is up.  For all the downsides of technology, I am grateful it has the capacity to be truly nourishing.