As I begin this very new adventure of adding my first blog post to Self Care Connections, the word Gratitude popped into my head. I have much gratitude for UW-Stevens Point students, TJ and Anthony, who created this web . . . and who began to train me about how to navigate it. Their talents, their patience, and their “let’s figure this out” attitudes are so much appreciated. I also thank the entire Computing and New Media Technologies education team at UW-Stevens Point, especially Tim Krause and Tomi Heimonen, who coordinated this opportunity for me, and for many others, to be a “client” of these students. Thank you.

This morning as I was “doing” my qigong practice outside in the sunshine, I slowed my breath and smiled. I put my hands palm to palm in prayer position in front of my chest, gently inhaled and bowed slightly forward, and then I exhaled as I returned my spine to straight. Each time I bowed forward, I quietly said something that I was thankful for. Some of my thank you’s were for the trees . . . the sparkles of the sunshine . . . my body . . . my socks . . . my internal organs that work so hard . . . the color green . . . water . . . my family . . . the birds I heard . . . and more. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This exercise is one of my favorites from the Spring Forest Qigong Five Elements practice, and it is called “Connecting to Our Heart’s Energy.” It brings an amazing feeling and vibration to our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Perhaps you’d like to observe some gratitude moments as you move about your days. Maybe today while you’re walking, driving, or biking, you could silently say thank you for each of the families and homes that you pass. When you go past a school, you can consider saying thank you for all the children, teachers, and administrative teams. Or consider saying thank you for the beautiful trees you see, and maybe take time to hug a tree? And remember that it’s also ok to say thank you to ourselves and for all the experiences of our days.

Much gratitude for the people who surround me, and I am grateful for the challenges and the many blessings of life. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.