Visual Gratitude #26: Art

In college I studied dance. While potentially making a HUGE sweeping generalization, I would say a large percentage of American parents simply shudder at the idea of their child studying dance in college. My parents definitely hated the idea. They'd constantly prod me with, "What will you ever do with a degree in dance?"

Of course I don't dance now and most likely won't be deeply involved with dance ever again, but I am grateful for the time I spent studying dance and the opportunities that came my way because of dance. I am also grateful for the amazing information that was offered to me through my studies in dance about the world around me. Not only is (most) dance, and other forms of (most) art, beautiful and visually or audibly interesting, but art is a wonderful tool to help people express their emotions and communicate with the world around them.
In high school I was introduced to modern dance. I always loved dancing as a child but up until high school I hadn't received any "technical" training. Of course I was your typical angsty teenager who thought she had a whole lot of expressing to do at the ripe old age of 16. And although I really did not have a whole lot to be upset about considering I was a very privileged white girl from suburbia, dance gave me an outlet to express myself in a way that I had never been able to. After high school I was lucky enough to continue working with dance students in the same studio in which I learned about Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. It is absolutely incredible how dance, drawing, music, theater, photography, and other various forms of art help kids, as well as people of all ages, through challenging times. It's not always greatly utilized, funded, or appreciated in
American culture, but I think everyone could use a little more art in their lives.

Visual Gratitude #25: Fresh Food

Last Spring I was in NYC for the Yoga Journal Conference. I'm lucky enough to have a good friend who lives there so I was about to stay with her and not spend a ridiculous amount of money on a hotel. It was my first time visiting her since she had moved to NYC. She was always destined to live there. She grew up in a small town in North Dakota and went to college in Minneapolis prior to her big move and, although she didn't express any amount of surprise, she would share with me the outrageous price of things like cereal, toilet paper, and bread in NYC. I of course left with a larger sense of pride and content with living in the Midwest. 

During my visit she wanted to take me to her favorite Thai restaurant. I love Thai food and love the Thai restaurant that's less than a block from my doorstep. My local Thai restaurant serves local ingredients from local farmers whenever possible. My friend was so excited to share her NYC Thai stop with me and continued to use the word "fresh" the describe the menu's offerings. 

I'm definitely a creature of habit and decided to order the exact same thing at the NYC restaurant as I do at my local favorite. With just one bite I felt let down. "Fresh" is not at all how I would have described my meal. By no means was it bad, but it definitely could not compare to the freshness of the Thai food I eat on a regular basis in Minneapolis. 

I had to share my experience with my boyfriend. He responded with, "What you had was probably some of the freshest food the city had to offer. Remember, it's New York City. Nothing is fresh in New York City." He was right. In the concrete jungle you won't easily come across kale that was picked from a local garden or eggs that were gathered up this morning from a family farm. That is unless you're willing to pay a pretty penny for those fresh commodities. 

Don't get me wrong. I love New York! However, living there is something I will never do. My short trip last Spring just solidified by deep love and admiration for the city in which I live. I am extremely grateful for the ability to eat fresh food that was grown within a few hours from my home. Of course the large super markets don't always have locally grown options, but I can easily make a trip to the co-op or farmer's market and find seasonal foods all while supporting local farmers. 

My most recent purchase was an obscenely large beet. Funny enough, this beet was the smallest beet the co-op had to offer! 

Visual Gratitude #24: More Cat Humor

I look at this magnet everyday and just can't help but chuckle. So precious.

Visual Gratitude #23: Honesty

Often times people say how they've started to lose faith in humanity. I know I've said it before. When you see something awful or you get treated poorly by a person, it's easy to dig into humanity and say it's all going to hell. Especially when you realize that truths you've been told and have believed have only been lies. But then there's a gleaming ray of light that makes you realize that there truly are good people out there!

While house hunting I have realized that there's not so much honesty going around in the real estate business. Realtors are always trying to make the not-so-great qualities of a house into a huge benefit to purchasing the home. "Large master suite on top level!" is actually an attic space with ceilings no higher than five and a half feet. Of course when I came across this gem of a sign, my faith in real estate had been reinstated. "Mold everywhere". Who would purposely advertise that?! I'll tell you who. An honest person. Now this person probably just wants to gain the interest of some investor who wants to rip out sheet rock and make some money on the rehab. But at least anyone who inquires about this home will already know the truth that this house indeed has mold everywhere.

The moral of this story is simple: Be honest. Don't just be honest with those around you, but be honest with yourself. Think of lies as mold. In the end, do you really want to have mold everywhere?

Visual Gratitude #22: MN State Parks

Not only are the fine people of MN pretty rad, but the landscape of MN isn't too shabby either. Minnesota has 68 state parks and all of them are beautiful and unique.

I'm eternally grateful that there's a state park anywhere from a 45 minute to 7 hour drive from my front door. Fresh air, hiking trails, bird watching, star gazing, and laying in the grass. State parks are just so awesome!

Visual Gratitude #21: The Fine People of MN

My love for Minnesota runs so deep that back in 2008 I was compelled to have the state tattooed on my body. I truly love being a Minnesotan.

Today, Thursday, May 9, 2013, I'm especially proud to say that I'm a Minnesotan. The MN House of Representatives voted 75-59 in favor of legalizing gay marriages in the state. I am so grateful for the people who spoke their truth and supported people who simply love each other.

Of course I didn't take this picture (thanks go to Minnesota Public Radio), but I am grateful for even those who oppose the legalization of gay marriage. I'm grateful that I live in a democratic society where both sides can put together signs, wear matching t-shirts, and sing out their message.

Visual Gratitude #20: Travel

I haven't had the opportunity to travel much, but when I do, I love it. I feel so blessed to be able to experience different places, people, food, culture, music, etc. simply by jumping on a plane and going where it takes me.

I've been to Mexico a couple times. I spent a week and a half with a family in Cuernavaca, Mexico when I was in middle school. I appreciated it then, but I now wish I had fully taken advantage of the experience when I had the chance. While in college my boyfriend and I spent pretty much every penny we had to spend New Years Eve in Paris. It was lovely. Last year I had the privilege to explore Vieques, Puerto Rico. And although I thought I would never make it, I was in a wedding in Antigua, Guatemala last fall.

At only 26 I feel like I've been able to explore quite a bit, but I hope the future holds more exploration in various countries for me.

Photo taken in Antigua, Guatemala in October of 2012.