Dear Anita,

You are right as ever. During this post I felt tenderness for myself, for myself the social being.  Cali Chica social butterfly, I felt a love for it – not a hate for it like I did this morning when I first wrote.

And – more importantly – I felt a true sweet affection and tenderness for you – a genuine smile on myself when I read:

but I go there with my own wine treat, wine with orange slices squeezed in

OH how I love this! How charming, and amazing! Showing up their with your own treat! What a beautiful thing, I commend you.

Oh how I wish I could meet you there on Friday.  Talking about the food or the weather – or talking about the tragedy of our mothers! or anything in between – we would have a great time – of this I am sure.

Dear Anita,

I see us there, and I smile. You want to know why?

Not because the great red wine treat (oh it is a treat, nice deep wine with citrus burst)

Not because we are on the outskirts of this cool city, so different than NYC.

But because this connection of ours, this friendship – oh it is so special – so very special, unlike any other relationship in my life.

A smile that we can not even contain!

Anita,

dare I say it?

the word. Ok I will.

We are lucky. To have that connection. Yes LUCKY!

this word has so many icky connotations. The mother voice saying luck luck!! Oh we have. I luck! Others have the luck. Oh my.

But when I read your last post the first thing that came to my mind intuitively and innately was : we are lucky, that in this world we live in a world of today that we can find a connection like ours across the country, not having even ever met. For this I am grateful, and appreciative, and yes also yes…. lucky.

Dear Anita,

you are right we get to redefine words like luck and love. Wow – we do. We sure do. I get to redefine : what is luck to ME. What is love To ME?

perfect words for me this afternoon. I will sink and savor these words – and keep them close to my heart throughout the interactions that I have pending for the remainder of the day (many different types await)

I will report back and let you know – what if anything came to mind. In this regard – my ability, and right to redefine… 🙂

talk to you later Anita- I will write first thing tomorrow morning – and will look forward to your response as always.

Dear Anita,

I had many interactions yesterday.  Some more with patients, uneventful for the most part.  I then met with someone who I now consider somewhat of a mentor.  She is in the wellness industry from a non medical side (more fitness and marketing etc)

We had a good positive talk.  Yes, I feel lucky to have her – someone to bounce ideas off – and that can help me navigate the world of entrepreneurship/wellness.  One step at a time of course.

i thought about redefining: luck and love

How I have had love and luck around me my whole life – I have been “lucky” in that way (for lack of a better term).

I have had luck and love around me, but unable to receive that love and appreciate it – to focused on the hate, that mother taught.  Not even knowing I was doing this of course.  Thinking gosh theres no love or luck, sigh.  But in fact having it all around me, but being blind.

Even present day with my husband – a good example of having difficulty accepting and receiving love – and of course even more difficult to GIVE love.

dear Anita,

You are right – I was given this advice a long time ago – and i have done it – more often than not.

It’s like “go through the motions even if you don’t feel like it, and you will still notice a positive benefit.”

I do agree.  And it takes practice – action, positive reaction (in yourself and the other person) and then more ingrained positive practice over time that may lead to pattern.

I wonder if you will be going to your brewery this evening, a nice summer Friday night.  Do they have outdoor seating? that is my favorite thing in the summer. Sit outside in the sun with a friend, drink and talk for perhaps even hours.  Time passes by, so many topics, so many laughs.

It feels like therapy sometimes! With the right person, and right environment.

I am lucky to have these interactions quite often – yes I will use the word lucky.

To live in a great city, to enjoy summer, and to have good friends/colleagues that I can have fun, real conversation, and learn from and also simply laugh with.

Dear Anita,

This reads to me when I was in Portland Oregon years ago.  Beautiful scenery and breweries, dog friendly.  I recall being at such a place.

I too, love sitting at bars and restaurants at the counter/bar. Often chatting with the servers when they are maknig drinks, and yes, seeing people come and go.  It is very lively.  Good ambience.

Its not often that I choose a table that is more secluded, for privacy – as I enjoy the lively ambience when I step out to eat or drink.

This time of year many of the NYC bars and restaurants have outdoor seating that is quite full.  We sometimes bring my dog, depends on the scenario.  Often there are many people with dogs and it is fun.

My favorite thing to do is sit in Central Park and have a picnic.  When my friends were over with their infant a few weekends ago, we did this.  I had a large spread of food and snacks, we had blankets, and games, and wine and cheese.  Perfect sunny day.  The dogs playing and the baby enjoying as well.  It was a great day.

Dear Anita,

Why not a great experience that one time? If you don’t want to elaborate- perhaps a sentence? Or whatever you would like.

You know it’s natural for me to put things like that together. But at one point when everyone was there – 10 people in a small apartment I remember being overwhelmed. I realized that this is all for fun so it doesn’t matter! I tend to want everything to be perfect when I’m hosting and make sure my guests have a great time and great options. But this is self Induced. They’re having a great time regardless – I recall after getting to the park and spreading everything out (everyone helped of course) and having a glass of white wine – laying on the bare grass (I decided to Instead of the blanket) and feel nature – I felt good. I looked at everyone enjoying and I thought this is what it’s all about.