Girl Time

Today, I met up with a dear friend at the Oakland Piedmont Springs to spend some quality relaxing time de-stressing together.  I've been thinking about going for a long time and then it just fell on the back burner, and I just got a reflexology massage last weekend too.  But I didn't know I needed this until we did it and I felt AH-MAZE-ING.  Months of stess pent up and suddenly gone - I'd pay for the hour again any day. 

It's clean, it's serene — what more can you want?

Bay Area Smoke

We caught up about what's been going on and how things are and how we feel.  The Bay Area is swept with smoke due to the Butte County Fires, and I know a lot of people are having a hard time with that.  But for every smoke complaint, I also think about those who are directly dealing with the fire itself.  This year has been a year of fires and it's so crazy to me how these natural disasters are constantly shifting.

I have kids who post about how the smokey atmosphere gives the sun a fantastic filter for photos and it makes me want to quickly hit the "unfriend" button only to step back and realize these are kids after all.  But it makes me sad that compassion and empathy isn't the first emotion versus the complaining side of some people. 

Balance

I also think about how we tend to think we're alone during our off days.  Hoards of people are coming in to help victims during this time, people are gathering things they can donate, and others are volunteering to make the trip to donate. 

Similarly, when I meet up with my friend, I find that we're usually on the same plane of feeling imbalanced or unusual and in need of company, a person to vent to, and some sound advice and positive energy. 

I firmly believe you're never alone unless you want to be and I hope that if you feel you are, you can look out to the sea of people and find solace in someone who is willing to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or a shoulder for you to lean on.