All Good Things

I love driving with the windows down on a long, winding road with the music blasting and wearing my sunglasses.

You know, life is full of good things. Sometimes when something scary, tragic or just plain awful happens, it is hard to see the silver lining. Sometimes you need someone to point it out for you.

So, my boyfriend, Jeff, is a cancer survivor. This week he was in the hospital as a precaution due to results from his most recent CT scan. I suppose it is better to have overly cautious doctors and nurses as opposed to not cautious enough, but it turned out to be a long three-day vacation at UPMC Shadyside for ultimately nothing as far as procedure or testing.

Jeff is fine!

Although his body has been to hell and back, and then again...and again...He is a super trooper and is already back to working both jobs. Go figure.

But, after all of this week's detours and potholes, I couldn't help but see the Allegheny River in all of its calmness and the sun shining from behind the clouds while on the road. At work one day this week, after Jeff had come home from the hospital, Nancy introduced me to a client of hers as "her hero, Emily". She has done that a few times in the past, but they had been while I was still in school. To see that I am still inspiring one person, although I am not a full-time student and full-time employee, plus everything else, it kind of took me by surprise.

Sometimes you need to be surprised.

We had a really tough week.

We will hardly see each other next week.

But, we love each other, and that is the most beautiful "good thing" there is.

To all the good things...

Sunday Has Always Been My Favorite Day of the Week.

Growing up, Sundays meant a full day of friends, family, food and church. Sundays started early and ended late. I would sing for one of two church services, have lunch with family and friends, help clean the church, have band practice, sing for one of two night services, and go home late to a cozy couch, snacks, and TV with my family.

Sigh.

Since moving to Pittsburgh, Sundays have turned into another day of the work week or days to catch up on homework, bills, cleaning, projects or sleep. Instead of being a day of the "feel good" basics of life, Sunday has not been too special for me.

And I've missed that.

Things are changing.

Tomorrow, I will wake up and drive out to Moon Township to sing for the second service at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. I will then drive home, fill up my gas tank (WAH!), and come home to nap and eat brunch with my sweetheart.

Whew.

This isn't every Sunday, but it is so nice when it happens. There are no words to express how thankful I am for a Sunday to myself, my loved ones and church.

This week's bonus is Jeff is off work too! Jeff tells me we are doing absolutely NOTHING tomorrow but cuddle and eat on the couch.

I can't wait.

Feed Your Soul

Chicken soup.

Sleeping-in on a rainy day.

Taking the long way home, just to see the scenery.

A good book.

We all have our "things" that warm our souls, make us feel good, feed us in a way that we feel butterflies down to our toes. These are the most beautiful moments in life, in my opinion. Nutrition is about feeding all aspects of our being, I think. My tummy needs lean proteins and greens. My brain needs numbers to crunch. My soul needs those deep-down, sugary moments to myself.

Today I began thinking of what these moments are like. It was a rainy, lazy Saturday. Although I worked, I felt very indulgent in how I went about my day.

I went to work early to walk a little slower from my car in the rain. I twirled my big umbrella the whole way.

On my lunch break, instead of getting lunch, I ordered a much-craved iced venti soy latte from Starbucks and walked the extra two-and-a-half blocks in the rain to get it.

When I got home, I decided to cuddle with my dog on the couch, watching The Food Network. It was a Chopped Champions marathon, though. No-brainer there.

And, for one more indulgence, I sang in the shower late at night. This is something I have done while living the single life in the city (Oh, 3 months ago?) every Saturday night, without fail. This included the nights I came home after midnight! I trust my former neighbors do not miss me for this reason :)

Needless to say, I indulged today. And, as you can tell, that does not mean I spent the day sleeping in, watching girlie movies, eating Hostess cakes and potato chips. But, believe me folks, I have been known to do this AND enjoy these days, too. Though, today, I indulged in a way only I would understand.

And that is how it should be for you.

So, my question for you tonight is this...

What is it that feeds your soul? What are those deep-down, sugary moments that you take for yourself that make you feel butterflies down to your toes?

For me, it's singing in the shower in the middle of a rainy night.

It feels good to get back in touch with these feelings. Is it time for you to take a moment and feed your soul?

Trust me. It isn't as stupid as it sounds.