Once again it is a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest. It is a ritual here in Western Oregon and Washington (anything west of the Cascade Mountain Range) that when the sun comes out, everyone rushes outside; this is regardless of the air temperature. It can be 28 degrees outside, but if the sun is out, you will see us out in it.
Today is a sunny day with temperatures in the 40's. I thought that I had a doctors appointment this morning about 1100, turns out I was wrong, it is on Wednesday. So, I thought, awesome...I get to go for my walk! I put my sunglasses on, took a deep breath, and started out on what was to be a feel good walk.
I got my speed up, was falling into my stride and a woman w/ a yellow Lab comes up. I stop to pet the dog and realize that the lady is my Pediatric Nursing instructor from the University of Portland; of course I graduated 20 years ago. I introduced myself and we had a wonderful conversation catching up on where our careers have taken us. It was wonderful to see her and felt good to see a familiar face. I also realized that when I was in school, she must have been about my age. Amazing how perspectives change with age.
I got going again and ran into a dog that startled me. I am a huge dog lover and rarely get startled, but I was lost in thought and when the dog barked I jumped. The gentleman walking the dog apologized. I went to make up w/ the dog who was quite friendly, and the gentleman recognized that I was a Kaiser employee. We spoke for about 10 minutes and he raved about the care he receives at Kaiser and how it is the best insurance ever. It was a very pleasant conversation.
These two interactions just filled up my heart so that I am just as happy as can be. I have so many blessings in my life. My incredible partner, my wonderful children, friends and family that enrich my life every day. I have a job (though I just took a new job and am very excited about it). Most of all, I have the ability to love. I have the capability within myself to love me and those who are around me. I have the capacity to love my enemies as well as my friends; whether I use that capacity is a different story...I can think of a few people that I don't utilize it very well with.
I can't say enough how small interactions can effect me. I remember once when I was a teen a complete stranger changed my whole day with a smile. I was walking home from school in my usual teenage funk. This lady was jogging, had no idea who she was, but she smiled at me as she went by. That one smile changed my mood for the rest of the day. I was acknowledged as a human being and it helped fill my heart and soul. It made such an impression that here I am 26 years later and I still remember the encounter.
The smallest form of acknowledgement can make a huge difference for some people. Ever since that day, I try to smile at everyone I pass. I know that it isn't 100 %, but it is something I strive for. Passing on that humanity and love is what I feel life is about. We are here to treat each other with respect, to learn from each others' experiences, and to challenge our hearts to learn to love beyond our comfort zone. As I've said before, my whole life seems to have been pushing the envelope of others' comfort zones; so it seems reasonable that I have to reach beyond my comfort zone to reach others.
I am enjoying being in this moment, because it is these moments that keep me going; I know that things change and that the happy, joyous, and soul full moments are just around the corner. I believe in myself and feel myself growing stronger and stronger. I am strong, I am invincible, I am ME!
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