I am not one to wait until the holiday season to ever express my gratitude for everything in my life...family, friends, clients, sunshine, mountains, yoga, dancing, and music just to name a few.
But over the past several weeks I've been struggling with what gratitude looks like to me vs. others as we continue to process all of the division in our country.
While I do not want to go down any political rabbit hole, I can't help but think about all of the past, present and future It's Just Stuff clients who are navigating all kinds of challenges and trauma that were already all-consuming.
But as the news continues to roll out with the next administration's plans, I am so worried about what will happen to...
...those struggling with physical issues that aren't covered enough if at all by insurance
...those struggling with mental health issues who already have limited resources available to them
...and those with financial issues who desperately need services like ours but can't afford them especially seniors with no family or friends to support them in any way whether aging in place or transitioning to a senior living community
This is not a new conversation for me to have with myself and post in the form of a blog. However, as we enter the homestretch for 2024 and look ahead to what 2025 may bring, I am here to admit that as much as I am grateful, I am still sad, scared, and anxious.
So when I have the opportunity to spread a little sunshine/love/gratitude upon others like I did a few weeks ago, it calms my nervous system down tremendously.
On this particular Friday, I had several in-person appointments and tasks to complete. The first stop was at the Superior Chamber office after having a conversation with the staff the day before at a lunch meeting where we discussed how my goal for any client is to hopefully leave them feeling like we accomplished the clearing we set out to achieve.
But just in case they need to clear any negative energy that may bring the chaos and clutter back into their lives at any point in the future, I always leave every client with a smudge stick...you know, those bundles of twigs that you light and wave around a room/home hoping to remove any bad juju from a space.
The Chamber staff commented how we all need to have one whether at work or home because, let's face it, chaos and clutter don't stop at your front door on your way out every day. You/we carry so much internal clutter around with us all day that ultimately creates external clutter so why not have a traveling smudge stick, right?
Meanwhile, no one was at the Chamber office so I left them on the ground by the door and crossed my fingers that no one would steal them or throw them out.
Then again, if they did steal them, I wouldn't have been too mad if it meant that I indirectly helped someone else clear their chaos away. Hey, I always say, I am a lover, not a fighter, so who am I to take away anyone's potential happiness and clutter-free joy???
The next stop was an opportunity to tour one of the Gardens Care Senior Living home concepts (independent, assisted and memory care). I personally love this idea of smaller residential homes over the larger senior living communities run by mega national and international companies and hope to see more local investors/developers rehab homes for this purpose. It provides so much more dignity and individualized care and doesn't necessarily mean it will have to cost more as is the case with Garden Care's business model. Besides, what might work in Florida, New York or any other state for that matter may not work as well in Colorado. So having people who understand the specific needs of their community will be the key to success in the future, again in my opinion.
I mean, come on...how cozy and comfortable does this look...
And having this view every day???...
They have over 20 homes/communities throughout the Greater Denver area with plans for more growth and I will have my fingers crossed that by the time I need to consider any type of senior living options, that I will be able to move into one like theirs. Leaving behind a smudge stick for the caregivers to use at their discretion could ensure that for me or so I choose to believe.
And my final stop was at my new bank. After almost 2 months of untangling a mess my now former bank made, I was finally able to transition to another bank thanks to the amazing connections I make as a member of the Boulder Chamber. I was already stressed trying to handle all of the logistics involved in switching banks these days (changing direct deposit, bill pay, etc.) but I was also dealing with the fact that my now former bank was merging with another bank the following week, but failed to tell any customers that all online services were shutting down 3 days before. In other words, my money was being held hostage so to speak and I wasn't able to do any external transfers to fund my now new bank accounts.
Suffice it to say I was frustrated, but thanks to my new bank officer's patience and perseverance, we got everything done. I was so relieved, but more importantly I was so grateful and handed a smudge stick to the branch manager and my Chamber connection before walking out the door and heading into what I knew was going to be a much more peaceful weekend for my head as well as my heart.
A week later, I arrived in California to spend a few days with my brother and sister-in-law just north of LA (and eventually make my way to my son in San Diego) and regretted not bringing a smudge stick with me because they clearly needed it once this happened...
Sigh...luckily their degree of responsibility was limited to calling their landlord at 7 pm on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving once the gurgling turned into actual sewage coming up through the pipes. Unluckily, it still meant no showers, toilet flushing, or running of any water in general through the night and the next morning.
And upon hearing that news, of course, we suddenly needed to go to the bathroom and contemplated getting a hotel room. But this was a first-world problem that we sucked up, something my brother's dog sucks up every time he is sent out to the backyard to do "his thing". 🤣 Steve (yes, that is his name) clearly was not feeling particularly sorry for us...
On that note, this is where I wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday season along with an abundance of gratitude for everything we do have and the hope that anyone struggling on any level finds peace and prosperity in the New Year.
Be well and, always, be kind,
Beth
Gratitude is the attitude
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