This week I am grateful for…
171. Crickets
172. Teaching FYE
173. A Great Workout
174. The Last Ice Cream of the Season
175. Running into Old Friends
176. A Gliding Red-Tail Hawk
177. Sun After Rain
178. Music While Doing Dishes
179. Morning Fog on My Commute
180. Sleepcasts
#171: Crickets
During my mindfulness practices this week, I found myself tuning into the sound of crickets again. It reminded me of an experience a year ago after my silent retreat in remote Vermont. At first, I thought the sound was unique to that place, but when I returned home, they were still there, steady and clear. That’s when I realized something: the crickets had always been there—I just hadn’t been listening. My partner confirmed this when she said she rarely noticed them unless she paused and really paid attention. That moment changed me. This week, I’m grateful for mindfulness—and for the quiet reminder of crickets.
#172: Teaching First Year Experience Seminar
Last week, I had the privilege of teaching my very first First Year Experience course at QCC. Meeting the students, hearing about their hopes, and engaging in meaningful discussions filled me with energy. There’s something inspiring about being with students at the start of their journey. Also big shoutout to my coworker that made all this possible, you know yourself!
#173: A Great Workout
You know those workouts that leave you sore for days, yet proud of yourself for showing up? I had one this week. My pectoral muscles are still reminding me of it, but I keep going back. One classmate joked, “Remember, it’s us versus the trainer—and we outnumber her!” That got the whole group laughing.
#174: The Last Ice Cream of the Season
This week, a local shop closed for the season, and I made sure to savor one last scoop of my favorite flavor, black raspberry. It felt bittersweet: a small farewell to summer, but also a sweet welcome to fall. I did, however, chuckle (and cringe a little) at their chosen end-of-season motto: “Come get your last lick.” Some things are better left unbranded. Here is a photo I took…
#175: Running into Old Friends
Sometimes life surprises you. My girlfriend and I decided to walk at a nearby park instead of our usual one, and I ended up running into not one, not two, not three—but four old friends I hadn’t seen in ages. We caught up, shared stories, and ended up walking five miles around the track together. Pure serendipity.
#176: A Gliding Red-Tail Hawk
One evening this week, I spotted a red-tail hawk high in the sky, almost motionless, gliding on the wind. The golden sunset lit up its brown-and-white feathers, and for a moment it looked like time itself had paused. Majestic.
#177: Sun After Rain
After a long, rainy day, the clouds finally broke. On my evening walk, the sun made a brief but dazzling appearance, painting the sky with shades of orange and gold. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie.
#178: Music While Doing Dishes
Doing chores isn’t always fun, but I’ll admit—I secretly enjoy when it gives me an excuse to play music. This week, I was vibing so much while doing dishes that I almost wished it had taken longer.
#179: Morning Fog on My Commute
On my way to work, I was greeted by a soft fog resting over the distant horizon. It transformed the ordinary commute into something calming and picturesque.
#180: Sleepcasts
One of my bedtime rituals is listening to Headspace sleepcasts—soothing stories set in places like cozy inns or peaceful gardens. They help me unwind, let go of the day, and drift into restful sleep. This week, I’ve been especially grateful for this gentle practice.
Weekly Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is one of my favorite Ted Talks by Tim Urban on Procrastination. It is funny, thoughtful, and highly Inspirational.
