Hello, hello. Happy…Saturday? Sunday? My inner clock is a wee bit confused right now, but what is time, anyway?

Yesterday ended up being pretty calm, if busy. And early. When your alarm is set to go off at 5, waking up on your own at 4 seems slightly less ridiculous, but I was definitely feeling it. I felt like the hospital staff and the patients and pretty much, well, everyone was shaken up by Friday’s events. I felt weird not saying something about it that night, but I just couldn’t find the words.

In response to these sorts of things, I try to send love and light, do what I can to spread positive energy and give attention to the people I encounter who need it. It does seem that in recent years, we’ve seen a rash of violent events and horrific natural disasters, and if nothing else, I hope that more people start waking up to the need for change. I feel like there’s been a sort of acceleration there, but is it enough? How many times can you have an issue thrown in your face before you finally stop ignoring it? Not to reference a young Bob Dylan or anything. Of course, what’s talk without action?

I know these are big, kind of overwhelming questions. When I don’t know what to do, at least I can help a patient plug their cell phone charger into the wall so they can call their family or let someone who’s scared squeeze my hand and talk for a few extra minutes. It may be a drop in the big cosmic bucket, but hey—it’s better than no drop at all. Yes, I “do nutrition,” but as I’ve said before, the actual “nutrition services” make up only a small part of it.

Even though I was exhausted when I got home yesterday, it mattered more to me to spend time with people I don’t see enough. So, after a catnap, I ventured down to the Lower East Side to meet a friend for dinner at Beauty & Essex, where we shared some delicious things (kale, apple & goat cheese salad; eggplant flatbread thing; roasted veggies) and drinks. I went with champagne instead of wine because, well, sometimes you just need to celebrate the everyday a little.

amuse bouche

After, that we went to see  her boyfriend’s band, My Cousin The Emperor with Glass Elephant. I think it had been a few years since I’d been to one of the shows, and it was so nice to see some familiar faces and hear some good music with a bunch of new songs and covers. By the time I drifted off to sleep, I was tired, but happy.

…and I’m still tired. I’m planning to spend the day with my family, though. They’re doing their annual tree-trimming, cookie-baking thing. My immune system is whispering things in my ear, so I’m trying to listen. Um, hello, weird, savory-ish breakfast.

oats with flax, gram masala, ginger, cinnamon, spinach, shredded carrots, cranberries, leftover tofu, and peanut butter

So, thank you for reading this long post. Be well and have a lovely day : )

How do you respond to painful events? How do you celebrate the everyday?