Visual Gratitude: #10 A Good Sense of Humor

Oh the dentist. I'll admit, I loath the dentist. I'm sure this is a very common statement to be made, but my dislike for the dentist kept me away for quiet some time. I'm embarrassed to say how long. We'll just say it's been a long time since I last visited the dentist.

A couple weeks ago, after many months of shaming by my parents and boyfriend, I finally went in for a cleaning. During my visit I found out that I had my first cavity ever. The dentist actually applauded me for having my first cavity at the ripe age of 26. Fast forward a week and I was back in the chair getting my first cavity filled. Without going into too much detail there was a freak incident where a blood vessel in my face was punctured while the dentist was giving me Novocaine. I was then left with a very swollen face and the inability to move the left side of my mouth. To say the least, I was very upset. I looked awful! My left cheek was so puffy that I could barely open my left eye while driving home from the dentist.

I got home and just cried to my boyfriend. I cried mainly out of frustration. Of course their really was nothing I could do to change the situation, so I wiped away the tears and just had to smile. And every time I smiled I had to look at myself in the mirror and laugh. I looked ridiculous, but it was hilarious. In the end, I just had to keep laughing my ridiculous face.

The evidence is below, and it really isn't pretty.

Visual Gratitude: #9 Stretch Denim

This one has a story that goes along with it: About 4 years ago I took a yoga class from an instructor I had never taken class from. She was quite a powerful teacher. She was tall, skinny, and intimidated the shit out of me. I recall her encouraging her students to identify one thing that they're thankful for everyday. She then shared that on that particular day she was thankful for stretch denim. My first reactions: "Wait... What? Here I am thinking I'm grateful for my family, my friends, my health, etc. and this chick is thankful for stretch denim?! Aren't we in a yoga class? Shouldn't the material possessions be put aside?"

Fast forward a couple of years and this powerhouse of a teacher and I are teaching at the same studio. She is definitely fierce, but one hell of a person. Genuine through and through and doesn't pretend to be something she isn't. Yes her gratitude towards stretch denim took me by surprise on that one day, but let's be real, stretch denim is pretty amazing.

Our paths have taken us in different directions, but I hope that teacher realizes the impact she made on me, and I'm sure on her students and other fellow teachers. Yes we're yoga instructors, but we're also real people. No need to embrace the "Om Namah Shivaya" 24/7. The stretch denim moment was something that would take me years to understand, but now I fully embrace it. And as someone who lives in Spandex, on the rare occasion that I wear jeans, you better believe those jeans are at least 50% Spandex.

Visual Gratitude: #8 Local Fare

I live in an amazing neighborhood in Northeast Minneapolis. Once the home of many Polish immigrants, Northeast (commonly referred to as "Nordeast") is now home to a wide variety of people from all over the world. Just steps from my home many families now have shops and restaurants that are inspired by their home land. Our favorite Thai restaurant serves the freashest curry dishes. Two of the best taco shops are just blocks apart from one another and within walking distance of our home. Holy Land provides our community with the best Middle Eastern foods with fresh breads, olives, and hummus.

All of these places add to why I love living in Minneapolis. I am so grateful that I have so many authentic places to dine at within steps of where I live. I will most likely be moving this summer and the thought of moving away from such places breaks my heart a bit.

Visual Gratitude: #7 Positive Perspective

The winter of 2012-2013 will forever go down in Minnesota history as the winter that never ended! Seriously. We got our first snow fall some time in November and here we are in the middle of April with a forecast of more snow. We just can't catch a break!

However, this weather has taught me one good lesson, there's no benefit in being negative. Complaining about the weather will not change the weather. Cursing at my fellow drivers during a blizzard while they speed by going 70+ miles per hour will not make the driving conditions any safer. And wishing I was in a tropical locale while I'm wearing my down parka in April will not make me happier. In fact, it will do the complete opposite.

I do not applaud Lady Nature for her horrific joke, I do, however, appreciate the fact that I'm forced to have a positive outlook this Spring (if you can even call it that...). 

Visual Gratitude: #6 Peace and Quiet

I am typically surrounded by people all day at work. I am so grateful for the many different faces I see throughout the day, but I also savor the quiet times. In the last few years I've taught at least 12 yoga classes a week, usually more, and as time has passed I have come to the realization that I require lots of down time. It just comes back to the whole "take care of yourself before you take care of others" philosophy. If I don't have my quiet time, there's no way I'll be able to care for my students.

The epitome of quiet time is my Su Doku book. Most nights, before I go to bed, I pull out my fine-tipped, black Sharpie pen and start to fill in those blank boxes with numbers. I've gotten to the point where I can get through most puzzles within a matter of minutes, but there's also a sweet satisfaction in taking my time and double checking my work to guarantee my success.

Visual Gratitude: #5 The Starbucks Indulgence

I've been doing my best to save my cash these days, but occasionally I have to partake in a small indulgence. I truly enjoy a small treat from Starbucks.

Of course it depends on the time of year. Right now it's unseasonably chilly for April in MN, so my drink of choice is a grande vanilla soy chai. I find myself craving the sweet and slightly spiced drink at times. On a cold day it instantly warms me up.

When the sun starts to shine, and the heat and humidity begin to rise, I can't wait to switch to my venti unsweetened passion iced tea lemonade.

Starbucks lingo. Get it.

Visual Gratitude: #4 My Feet

As a dancer my feet were like my medals of honor. Sure they were gross, but all the scars, cuts, and scrapes on my feet were something to be proud of.

Of course now I'm not dancing, however, my feet are still something to be proud of. Although tiny, my feet have taken me all over the place. Throughout the last 26 years my feet have taken me all over the place. I took my first steps at my home in Apple Valley, MN. Later in life I would spend a week each summer walking along the beach of Leech Lake. When I turned 16 I wore awful shoes during my first visit to NYC and spent every night of my vacation mending my wounds. In the last ten years I've been lucky enough to have my feet traipse me around Paris, Chicago, Reno, Puerto Rico, various states along the east coast, and Guatemala. I feel so privileged to have experienced all the lovely places I've been able to visit throughout the last few years.

And now, every day I stand with bare feet guiding students through their yoga practice. I couldn't be more proud of the feet I stand on.