The dogs know when I wake up on edge and they’re eager to be let outside. I don’t blame them because when I feel off center, I don’t want to be around me either! October is my birthday month and I’ve been pondering what a year can do.

Last Friday, I met Lady A for our monthly reconnect and after I knocked on her front door, she flung the door open and exclaimed, “Happy early birthday!” I was shocked she remembered and laughed at her exuberance. We walked into the kitchen to see two small plates sitting on the counter with each holding a slice of carrot cake. I squealed with delight and shouted, “We’re having cake for breakfast!”

I love that it was carrot cake and considered it a healthier version of the traditional birthday cake that I was accustomed to eating for most of my life. She knows I’m seeing Dr. Jason and respects the journey. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s worth it and I’m a different human than the one who stepped into his office a year ago.

I’m excited to see Dr. J this week and I haven’t seen him since July, but October marks one year of stepping into his office. I’ve been trying my best to follow his suggestions, but it took a year to submit to all of them. In August, I finally acted on his nudge to strength train 3 days a week, for 30 minutes and I’m counting each workout, along with my walks. At this writing I’ve completed 25 strength training sessions and 47 walks.

Those numbers aren’t impressive, but I’ve found that the unremarkable efforts will accumulate until we’re standing in our birthday month and feel quite remarkable.

Lady A asked if I had any plans for my birthday and I told her, “Not really, but I bought a $100 workout mat”. She could relate because she used to own a yoga studio and taught for decades, so she understood the happiness this brings, but if someone would have told me a year ago, “You’re gonna spend over $100 on a mat”, I would have laughed.

Yet, here we are one year later with a cork yoga mat, by 42 Birds, named, ” The Imperial Eagle”, and I love that name! The writing room has evolved into the workout room.

I became serious about my well-being after a grocery store visit a year ago. While at the store, I squatted down to view some items on the bottom shelf and couldn’t get back up gracefully without using the grocery store floor for assistance. My body was losing strength, so thanks to that incident, I decided to meet Dr. J. One year later, I don’t hesitate to squat, knowing my legs are strong enough to lift me up.

Rumi, our Asian Council tree stayed outdoors all summer, but I still recall the day I bought him and laid him across the backseat of my truck. He was about 5 ft. tall, but today he stands over 7 ft. Strength training has given me confidence in what my body can do. When the nighttime temperatures began to drop, I squatted down, picked him up and carried him inside with ease.

In previous years I’ve bought something frivolous for my birthday which felt like a splurge, but this year’s purchase feels like an investment. Squatting to take this picture felt the opposite of that discouraging day in the grocery store. I’m grateful to watch the unremarkable moments accumulate and reveal evidence of what a year can do.

I’m honored and humbled by everyone who read and responded to my September offering. If you’d like to receive an email from me in October, you can opt-in here. 💖