Get a Grip, Wherever You Are

In a yoga class last week, Daniel, our teacher, led us through a series of deep leg stretches. He kept saying, "Get a grip, wherever you are." On the surface, he meant to hold on to our legs, whether that was our ankles or our knees. But it meant so much more.

"Get a grip." We use this phrase to tell people to calm down, to get in touch with reality, or to get some perspective. It's not often received as a positive phrase; more often we hear it when someone is exasperated with us.

Gratitude & Patience

We all know that volunteering is a good thing: giving our time and skills helps others when they need it; it feeds our souls; it gives us purpose. I like to volunteer at my kids' schools and with my local mom's club to show support and to help out when needed. I haven't yet gone outside my immediate community.  Volunteering feels good and is a good lesson for my kids, but I never expected to meet the people I've met in the past year. I had no idea that volunteering at a book fair, having a true friend, and two people with cancer would lead me to living a life with more gratitude and patience.