I was planning to share that today's Daily Triumph was choosing to have a bowl of fruit instead of a brownie and ice cream for dessert, but after I finished the bowl of fruit I promptly rinsed out the bowl and filled it with the brownie and ice cream I had wanted in the first place. So nevermind. Then I thought maybe I should share a triumph from clinicals, but although I feel that my clinical is going really well so far, I don't think I've done anything really noteworthy yet. I worried that maybe I'd be stuck for today, but then my brother-in-law Rich came to the rescue!
I called up Em and Rich to wish them a Happy 2-Year Anniversary tonight (congratulations!) and Rich shared something with me that made my day - Rich told me that he had his own Daily Triumph the other day! Rich was suffering the aggravation of a troublesome fly who would not leave him alone. After three hours of this torment, Rich finally got the sucker! In the glow of his victory, he thought to himself, "this is my Daily Triumph." Knowing that this thought actually went through Rich's head put a huge grin on my face and ended up being my own Daily Triumph today. Thanks, Rich! And Happy Anniversary to you both :-)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Sneaky Triumph of a Well-Timed Lesson
June 24, 2011
Every so often the universe conspires to teach you a lesson just when you need it. I had this experience at a slightly unusual yoga class I attended the other day. After a brief beginning stretch, the teacher instructed us all to gather round for the yoga lesson of the day. The seven or so students all sat around just like grade-schoolers, ready to absorb the lesson - it was odd, but no harm in learning something new, right? The lesson was about the concept of asteya, resisting the desire for that which is not yours. While this is not a new idea to me (Ten Commandments?), it is not something I had thought much about previously. However, I am preparing to start my clinicals on Monday and I think that asteya is going to be important to me.
I think the thing I'm most at risk of coveting (besides of course an adorable house that I can decorate all my own) is ability. I need to remember that I am a student, here to learn. I will not be able to do all of the things that those around me can do, and I won't know all of the things they know. I fear that I may find myself desiring something that is not mine - the skill and ability of therapists with years of experience. I can get pretty angry when I embarrass myself by not knowing something that I ought to know or can't do something that I ought to be able to do. The trouble there is that dwelling on things like that can stunt what could be a moment for growth. I must find a way to have high expectations of myself and strive to do my best, while also being gentle with myself when I make mistakes, which will inevitably happen, and open myself up to the lessons that lie therein.
The yoga instructor clarified that asteya is easier to achieve when you focus on what you have and give thanks for your own abilities, and more difficult to achieve when you compare yourself to others. Something tells me that this unexpected reminder not to compare myself to others - a weakness, I must admit - may have been particularly well-timed for the beginning of my fieldwork. Sneaky triumph for the universe :-)
Every so often the universe conspires to teach you a lesson just when you need it. I had this experience at a slightly unusual yoga class I attended the other day. After a brief beginning stretch, the teacher instructed us all to gather round for the yoga lesson of the day. The seven or so students all sat around just like grade-schoolers, ready to absorb the lesson - it was odd, but no harm in learning something new, right? The lesson was about the concept of asteya, resisting the desire for that which is not yours. While this is not a new idea to me (Ten Commandments?), it is not something I had thought much about previously. However, I am preparing to start my clinicals on Monday and I think that asteya is going to be important to me.
I think the thing I'm most at risk of coveting (besides of course an adorable house that I can decorate all my own) is ability. I need to remember that I am a student, here to learn. I will not be able to do all of the things that those around me can do, and I won't know all of the things they know. I fear that I may find myself desiring something that is not mine - the skill and ability of therapists with years of experience. I can get pretty angry when I embarrass myself by not knowing something that I ought to know or can't do something that I ought to be able to do. The trouble there is that dwelling on things like that can stunt what could be a moment for growth. I must find a way to have high expectations of myself and strive to do my best, while also being gentle with myself when I make mistakes, which will inevitably happen, and open myself up to the lessons that lie therein.
The yoga instructor clarified that asteya is easier to achieve when you focus on what you have and give thanks for your own abilities, and more difficult to achieve when you compare yourself to others. Something tells me that this unexpected reminder not to compare myself to others - a weakness, I must admit - may have been particularly well-timed for the beginning of my fieldwork. Sneaky triumph for the universe :-)
Telecommunications Triumph
June 24, 2011
Background: The other day I was stuck at the mall for about a hundred hours waiting for the folks at Sears to fix my car. To while away the time, I picked up The Girls from Ames (Jeffrey Zaslow) from the sale rack at Borders, and I've since been thinking a lot about the friendships that have beautified my life. The book is about a group of 11 girls who became friends throughout their youth and have remained close into their 40's. I am about halfway into the book and, as far as I can tell, there is little that is truly remarkable or unique about their story. However, as I read, I can't help but reflect on the memories and idiosyncracies of my own friendships, and damned if I don't feel that they are each remarkable in their own way. This leads me to conclude that friendship is remarkable enough it and of itself, no matter how ordinary the history or the circumstances of any given friendship.
So, thinking about my friends scattered across the globe naturally led me to marvel at the rapidly changing way in which we all stay connected to one another. As cliche as this is, I am deeply grateful to be living in an age where talking to friends halfway across the country (or world), and even seeing them!, is free and easy. This leads me to today's triumph:
If it's a little hard to discern what's happening here, I'll explain: This is a zoomed-in screen shot of a (complicated) video chat that I recently enjoyed with Kate and Kathryn, two of my best friends. I (in Louisville) am video-chatting with Kate in Seattle, who is Facetiming with Kathryn in Camden and holding up her iPhone so that I can also video chat with Kathryn in Camden, through Kate in Seattle! Incredible!
Background: The other day I was stuck at the mall for about a hundred hours waiting for the folks at Sears to fix my car. To while away the time, I picked up The Girls from Ames (Jeffrey Zaslow) from the sale rack at Borders, and I've since been thinking a lot about the friendships that have beautified my life. The book is about a group of 11 girls who became friends throughout their youth and have remained close into their 40's. I am about halfway into the book and, as far as I can tell, there is little that is truly remarkable or unique about their story. However, as I read, I can't help but reflect on the memories and idiosyncracies of my own friendships, and damned if I don't feel that they are each remarkable in their own way. This leads me to conclude that friendship is remarkable enough it and of itself, no matter how ordinary the history or the circumstances of any given friendship.
So, thinking about my friends scattered across the globe naturally led me to marvel at the rapidly changing way in which we all stay connected to one another. As cliche as this is, I am deeply grateful to be living in an age where talking to friends halfway across the country (or world), and even seeing them!, is free and easy. This leads me to today's triumph:
If it's a little hard to discern what's happening here, I'll explain: This is a zoomed-in screen shot of a (complicated) video chat that I recently enjoyed with Kate and Kathryn, two of my best friends. I (in Louisville) am video-chatting with Kate in Seattle, who is Facetiming with Kathryn in Camden and holding up her iPhone so that I can also video chat with Kathryn in Camden, through Kate in Seattle! Incredible!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Healthy Habits Triumph
Today, I remembered to apply sunscreen before going outside for a walk! Take that, UV rays!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Matrilineal Triumph
June 23, 2011
Today's triumph is something that I had nothing to do with, and yet means the world to me: being Laurie Thede's daughter. My mother is the wisest woman I know and today is her birthday. It is appropriate that I finished reading The Red Tent (Anita Diamant) today, a book about the wisdom of women and the incredible power of a mother's love. At the beginning of her tale, the narrator Dinah says:
Today's triumph is something that I had nothing to do with, and yet means the world to me: being Laurie Thede's daughter. My mother is the wisest woman I know and today is her birthday. It is appropriate that I finished reading The Red Tent (Anita Diamant) today, a book about the wisdom of women and the incredible power of a mother's love. At the beginning of her tale, the narrator Dinah says:
"If you want to understand any woman you must first ask about her mother and then listen carefully."
The idea that you must first understand my mother to understand me resonates strongly with me. For as long as I can remember, I have understood, accepted, and embraced the fact that I am very similar to my mother. Women joke about "turning into their mothers," but for me this has never applied, as I have been just like my mother from the beginning. True, I have inherited Mom's loose joints, easily bruising skin, headaches, and sometimes opinionated nature. But these traits are a price I'm happy to pay for the gifts she has given me: love of nature and music, enthusiasm for learning, the desire to be constantly improving myself and my surroundings, respect for my history and heritage, an appreciation for beauty, an eye for bargains, and the enjoyment of hearing other people's stories.
Dinah speaks often of her role as the heir of her mothers' memories and honors her place in the line of women that came before her. I am blessed to be one of the heirs of my mother's wisdom and the wisdom she inherited from the mothers before her. Happy birthday, Mom.
Me at graduation with the two great teachers of my life, Mom and Dad.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Legume Triumph
Although I am not a vegetarian, more often than not I do cook like one. The latest example is today's culinary experiment, vegetarian meatloaf! Meatless meatloaf? What? Stay with me.
This meatloaf uses mashed up lentils in place of ground beef, and everything else is just the same as regular meatloaf. It turned out to be delicious! Tasted pretty much like meatloaf, honest! I gave it an 8 out of 10, which in my eyes is definitely a triumph. The recipe is at the bottom if you're intrigued enough to try this yourself ;-)
In case you didn't know, lentils are super healthy - full of protein, fiber, and iron. In fact, Health magazine has named lentils one of the world's top five healthiest foods. Plus, the oats, egg, and garlic add extra nutrition to this dish. Interestingly, while learning about lentils on the internet I found out that the Old Testament has a story about Jacob purchasing the birthright from Esau with lentils. I happen to be reading The Red Tent right now, which is about Dinah, Jacob's daughter, and includes stories about Jacob and Esau! I wonder if reading about that region is what gave me the notion that I needed to make something with lentils. I do get pretty engrossed in whatever I'm reading/watching at any given time.
Recipe:
This meatloaf uses mashed up lentils in place of ground beef, and everything else is just the same as regular meatloaf. It turned out to be delicious! Tasted pretty much like meatloaf, honest! I gave it an 8 out of 10, which in my eyes is definitely a triumph. The recipe is at the bottom if you're intrigued enough to try this yourself ;-)
In case you didn't know, lentils are super healthy - full of protein, fiber, and iron. In fact, Health magazine has named lentils one of the world's top five healthiest foods. Plus, the oats, egg, and garlic add extra nutrition to this dish. Interestingly, while learning about lentils on the internet I found out that the Old Testament has a story about Jacob purchasing the birthright from Esau with lentils. I happen to be reading The Red Tent right now, which is about Dinah, Jacob's daughter, and includes stories about Jacob and Esau! I wonder if reading about that region is what gave me the notion that I needed to make something with lentils. I do get pretty engrossed in whatever I'm reading/watching at any given time.
Recipe:
1. Cook 1 cup of lentils in 2 cups of water. Let it cook for at least 30 minutes, more like 40-45, so that the lentils are quite soft.
2. Drain (although there won't be much water left), allow to cool slightly, then mash up the lentils in a mixing bowl. They don't have to be completely mashed, just give 'em a good smashing.
3. Add one cup of quick-dry oats, 3/4 cup shredded cheese of your choosing (cheddar, swiss, jack, American), and 1 small diced onion. I also added some minced fresh garlic at this point - up to you.
4. Add in one egg, 4.5 ounces of tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce (I used spaghetti sauce but later wished I had used plain tomato sauce), and whatever spices/herbs you want. I used garlic powder, salt and pepper, parsley, and a little cayenne pepper. I also added a bit of olive oil thanks to a recommendation from one of the recipe's reviewers who said it was a little dry.
5. Mix well and spoon into a loaf pan or a casserole dish. Smooth out the top. Cook at 350 for about 30 minutes.
6. When the top is starting to look like it's getting dry and cooked, take it out of the oven and top it with a glaze of ketchup, a little Worcestershire sauce, and a little brown sugar. Yum!
7. Let cook a little while longer and then enjoy!
Also, here is the recipe I used if you'd like to check it out yourself. I used some of the reader comments - I ALWAYS read those because they are often VERY helpful - so check those out too. Happy lentil-ing!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Food Triumph Number One: Cutting a Mango
Sunday, June 19, 2011
I expect to have several posts about new recipes or foods that I have discovered, because I get very excited, and feel very proud, any time I try a new recipe or food that turns out to be delicious. My first food-related triumph on this blog is cutting a mango!
Previously, all of my attempts to cut a mango resulted in an incredible mess that was more like juicing the mango and slurping it off my fingers, rather than cutting it up to actually eat. I didn't grow up eating mangoes so I never knew that there was a better way. Then, this morning, it occurred to me to consult the all-knowing Youtube.
Here's what I found:
How to Cut a Mango
I tried it today and it works so well! Unfortunately, the mango itself was not such a triumph. I had let it get too ripe and it tasted like rotten fruit with Pine-Sol poured over it. Nonetheless, I consider this a triumph not only for my future enjoyment of mangoes, but also a triumph for Youtube instructional videos, from which I look forward to learning many new skills!
I expect to have several posts about new recipes or foods that I have discovered, because I get very excited, and feel very proud, any time I try a new recipe or food that turns out to be delicious. My first food-related triumph on this blog is cutting a mango!
Previously, all of my attempts to cut a mango resulted in an incredible mess that was more like juicing the mango and slurping it off my fingers, rather than cutting it up to actually eat. I didn't grow up eating mangoes so I never knew that there was a better way. Then, this morning, it occurred to me to consult the all-knowing Youtube.
Here's what I found:
How to Cut a Mango
I tried it today and it works so well! Unfortunately, the mango itself was not such a triumph. I had let it get too ripe and it tasted like rotten fruit with Pine-Sol poured over it. Nonetheless, I consider this a triumph not only for my future enjoyment of mangoes, but also a triumph for Youtube instructional videos, from which I look forward to learning many new skills!
Father's Day Triumph: Cleaning the Drain!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day! My dad can do everything. Our old family letters include ridiculous accounts of his weekends, which typically went something like "fixed the sprinklers, took down the wallpaper in the bathroom, painted the kitchen, and finished up our taxes," usually all before dinner. In his honor, today's triumph is something I did a couple of days ago, with his help.
The bathroom sink was draining slowly, so I thought I'd get some Drano and take care of it. Father knew better, though, and told me the best way to fix the problem was to get in there and clean it out myself. Dad talked me through the process:
1. Clear out all the stuff under the pipes under the sink.
2. Place a bucket under the pipes, because they will drain water when you disconnect them (this seems so obvious, but I tell you I never would have thought of that).
3. Unscrew the pipe at the two places they connect (the uneven tops of the "U") and remove the U shaped pipe.
4. Hold your breath or plug your nose, it's stinky!
5. Shove a paper towel through the pipe to clean it out as best you can, and claw out anything that might be clogging the pipes.
6. Also remove the metal basin stopper to clean that up.
7. Replace all parts of sink, empty out bucket, and marvel at how quickly your sink drains!
I'll also throw in a lesson from my vinegar-loving mother here (second vinegar mention on this young blog): I soaked the U pipe and the metal stopper in white vinegar and water for a while to make them easier to clean.
So next time your sinks are clogging up, roll up your sleeves and attack the pipes. It's free, easy, effective, and strangely satisfying!
For good measure, here is a picture of my dad with one of his many Daily Triumphs, a fence he recently built at our cabin up in the mountains:
Happy Father's Day! My dad can do everything. Our old family letters include ridiculous accounts of his weekends, which typically went something like "fixed the sprinklers, took down the wallpaper in the bathroom, painted the kitchen, and finished up our taxes," usually all before dinner. In his honor, today's triumph is something I did a couple of days ago, with his help.
The bathroom sink was draining slowly, so I thought I'd get some Drano and take care of it. Father knew better, though, and told me the best way to fix the problem was to get in there and clean it out myself. Dad talked me through the process:
1. Clear out all the stuff under the pipes under the sink.
2. Place a bucket under the pipes, because they will drain water when you disconnect them (this seems so obvious, but I tell you I never would have thought of that).
3. Unscrew the pipe at the two places they connect (the uneven tops of the "U") and remove the U shaped pipe.
4. Hold your breath or plug your nose, it's stinky!
5. Shove a paper towel through the pipe to clean it out as best you can, and claw out anything that might be clogging the pipes.
6. Also remove the metal basin stopper to clean that up.
7. Replace all parts of sink, empty out bucket, and marvel at how quickly your sink drains!
I'll also throw in a lesson from my vinegar-loving mother here (second vinegar mention on this young blog): I soaked the U pipe and the metal stopper in white vinegar and water for a while to make them easier to clean.
So next time your sinks are clogging up, roll up your sleeves and attack the pipes. It's free, easy, effective, and strangely satisfying!
For good measure, here is a picture of my dad with one of his many Daily Triumphs, a fence he recently built at our cabin up in the mountains:
Nature's Triumph: Louisville Sunset
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Although this wasn't a personal triumph, per se, I never hesitate to celebrate nature's triumphs. Below is a picture of an enchanting sunset over Louisville, captured from our second story balcony.
Although this wasn't a personal triumph, per se, I never hesitate to celebrate nature's triumphs. Below is a picture of an enchanting sunset over Louisville, captured from our second story balcony.
Thrift Store Triumph
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
One of the many passions I have inherited from my mother is an enthusiasm for "thrifting." A couple weeks ago I spotted a set of dishes that I liked while searching for a stand for our kitchen at the local Goodwill. I didn't purchase them, but when I told my mom about this she commanded me to buy them. I was out of town at the time, so I called Josh and commanded him to return to the Goodwill to get them. When I saw them, they were priced at $30, but by the time Josh got there the teacups had been sold and the price was reduced to $21. All in all, we ended up with:
7 dinner plates
7 salad plates
15 (!) bread and butter plates
9 cereal bowls
9 dessert bowls
Gravy boat and plate (LOVE THIS)
Butter plate and cover
Creamer (LOVE THIS TOO)
Salt and pepper shakers
Vegetable server with lid (LOVE THIS TOO)
The bottoms say "Johnson Brothers Made in England." I loved the pattern, so I hit the internet to find out more about it. Turns out it is Johnson Brothers Heritage pattern, white. My dad and I both found this website, which lists prices for individual pieces: www.replacements.com. According to the website, our dishes add up to over $1100!!!! It's not a complete set, and they aren't in perfect condition, but they are in pretty darn good shape and we can complete the set through this website if we want. I love the dishes and the amazing bargain was a thrift store triumph indeed!!!
Pictures:
One of the many passions I have inherited from my mother is an enthusiasm for "thrifting." A couple weeks ago I spotted a set of dishes that I liked while searching for a stand for our kitchen at the local Goodwill. I didn't purchase them, but when I told my mom about this she commanded me to buy them. I was out of town at the time, so I called Josh and commanded him to return to the Goodwill to get them. When I saw them, they were priced at $30, but by the time Josh got there the teacups had been sold and the price was reduced to $21. All in all, we ended up with:
7 dinner plates
7 salad plates
15 (!) bread and butter plates
9 cereal bowls
9 dessert bowls
Gravy boat and plate (LOVE THIS)
Butter plate and cover
Creamer (LOVE THIS TOO)
Salt and pepper shakers
Vegetable server with lid (LOVE THIS TOO)
The bottoms say "Johnson Brothers Made in England." I loved the pattern, so I hit the internet to find out more about it. Turns out it is Johnson Brothers Heritage pattern, white. My dad and I both found this website, which lists prices for individual pieces: www.replacements.com. According to the website, our dishes add up to over $1100!!!! It's not a complete set, and they aren't in perfect condition, but they are in pretty darn good shape and we can complete the set through this website if we want. I love the dishes and the amazing bargain was a thrift store triumph indeed!!!
Pictures:
Today's Triumph: Homemade fly traps!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
To our great consternation, Josh and I discovered that this apartment seems to attract hordes of pesky little fruit flies. Even after taking out the trash and cleaning extensively, the flies still congregate in the kitchen and bathroom, so a few days ago we set out to annihilate them :) I remembered reading about using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to catch flies, so I constructed a mini-science project to test this theory. Lessons learned:
1. Use pure ACV, it attracts far more flies than diluted ACV.
2. Be patient. The traps will attract flies almost immediately, but you may have to wait a while for the flies to actually enter the trap before you can celebrate their capture.
3. The two methods we used worked equally well. The first method is to pour a little ACV into a glass, then cover it with saran wrap and use a fork to poke holes in the plastic wrap. The flies will crawl in but not be able to crawl out. The second method is to pour some ACV into a glass, then cut a small hole in the center of a coffee filter and fit it nicely into a glass. Again, the flies will crawl in but don't seem to be able to get out. I don't understand this, but I'm not going to ask questions about it. Both methods are pictured below.
Coffee filter method:
See all the little dead flies in there?!
Saran wrap method (pictures don't adequately show the success of this method, but it did work quite well):
I must admit I was delighted to see so many dead flies gather in our traps. I was also quite proud to witness the superiority of the ACV traps over the store-bought fly paper, which we had put up right next to our traps in the name of scientific experimentation.
Success!
To our great consternation, Josh and I discovered that this apartment seems to attract hordes of pesky little fruit flies. Even after taking out the trash and cleaning extensively, the flies still congregate in the kitchen and bathroom, so a few days ago we set out to annihilate them :) I remembered reading about using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to catch flies, so I constructed a mini-science project to test this theory. Lessons learned:
1. Use pure ACV, it attracts far more flies than diluted ACV.
2. Be patient. The traps will attract flies almost immediately, but you may have to wait a while for the flies to actually enter the trap before you can celebrate their capture.
3. The two methods we used worked equally well. The first method is to pour a little ACV into a glass, then cover it with saran wrap and use a fork to poke holes in the plastic wrap. The flies will crawl in but not be able to crawl out. The second method is to pour some ACV into a glass, then cut a small hole in the center of a coffee filter and fit it nicely into a glass. Again, the flies will crawl in but don't seem to be able to get out. I don't understand this, but I'm not going to ask questions about it. Both methods are pictured below.
Coffee filter method:
See all the little dead flies in there?!
Saran wrap method (pictures don't adequately show the success of this method, but it did work quite well):
I must admit I was delighted to see so many dead flies gather in our traps. I was also quite proud to witness the superiority of the ACV traps over the store-bought fly paper, which we had put up right next to our traps in the name of scientific experimentation.
Success!
Inauguration.
Welcome to my blog, The Daily Triumph. I have spent a fair amount of time thinking about, or rather worrying about, success, and what it means to me to be successful. I know I am not the only one who has asked myself whether I feel successful and what it will take for me to feel successful. I am slowly letting go of the impulse to measure my success by anyone else's standard, a liberating but at times tricky endeavor.
My blog adopts a definition of success that includes everyday triumphs; it is a celebration of victories both large and small. In addition, it is a venue to share things that I have learned that may be useful to others. Whether it is learning a new skill, crossing something off a long to-do list, or discovering something unexpected about the world or myself, I intend to find a success in every day, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Then, when I lay my head down at night, I hope not to fret over the day's regrets, but rather delight in the day's triumphs. I hope that this blog inspires you to do the same.
My blog adopts a definition of success that includes everyday triumphs; it is a celebration of victories both large and small. In addition, it is a venue to share things that I have learned that may be useful to others. Whether it is learning a new skill, crossing something off a long to-do list, or discovering something unexpected about the world or myself, I intend to find a success in every day, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Then, when I lay my head down at night, I hope not to fret over the day's regrets, but rather delight in the day's triumphs. I hope that this blog inspires you to do the same.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)