Good Day! Welcome to a new Thursday edition on Thankful FaM. Depending on the response we get from this, it will either become a regular Monday event or it will go to the archives where all one-offs go.

Today is a day to Walk on the Bright Side. I have a special guest contributor, friend and writer, David. In our circles he’s know as the resident realist (sometime cynic) whose love for writing may only be trumped by his love for European football. I love soccer for certain reasons (read: Christiano Ronaldo); I’m not sure David and I are of the same opinion.

Each and every one of us have things in our life the stress us out. It doesn’t matter how happy we are when we wake up, there are, undoubtably, certain annoyances and worries, big and small,  that creep in our heads. For today’s blog, I asked some friends to tell me about a few things weighing on their minds. I’ve listed these worries below. Following each, David will serve as the creeping voice telling us why, realistically, this should be an issue of concern. I will then do my best to illustrate the bright side. It’s always been helpful for me to see the dark and light of each issue in order to move forward in a positive, productive (hopefully healthy) way. Plus if you ever thought my optimism makes me overlook certain realities in life, David is here to balance me out.

In case you thought you were the only person stressed about the following things, just know, you’re not…

Holiday Time! I know what you’re thinking- I’m a few weeks early. However, there were a slew of holidays this weekend: Yom Kippur, Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus Day. While the latter isn’t exactly an awesome reason to celebrate, each of these days gave me a chance to see friends and family that would be otherwise engaged by work or school. Lucky me! Plus, if the Canadians are giving thanks, shouldn’t we all?

Early on in the weekend I got to meet up with my good friend, Mere. We ventured to Shop House the new tasty, yet cheap, eatery from the owners of Chipotle. This new restaurant features Vietnamese food which, I’m happy to say, was as filling and delicious as a Chipotle burrito. Unfortunately, this is the first and only location. I’m hoping they bring one out West soon.

Saturday evening I got to meet up with, Nellie, another former classmate. We marveled at how fast time has flown.

Nellie, Mere and I

On Monday Mere and I toured the monuments. Luckily we were able to see the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in West Potomac Park. The memorial’s construction began in December 2009 and was recently completed and opened on August 28th. Two walls featuring MLK Jr.’s most notable quotes converge to meet an embossed relief of MLK Jr. (Pictured Below). It’s wonderful that a man so dedicated to civil rights finally has a tribute; a sign of universal thanks and public gratitude. Those responsible for the memorial have even created a $1,000,000 scholarship fund for D.C. area high school students who plan on pursing post- secondary education.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

It had been a while since I’d sincerely taken time to visit The National Mall. We got the chance to see the Korean War, Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials. Mere mentioned that the best time to visit the Korean War Memorial is during the evening. Even in the daylight the statues were breathtaking. We looked on in awe of the Vietnam Memorial, simply due to the sheer quantity of names. I wondered how many family members still visit. Per usual Mere and I stood in front of the massive Lincoln statue and contemplated ways we could climb up and sit in his lap.

" Our Nation honors her Sons and Daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met."

I finished up my evening with a three mile walk to my friend Scottie and her boyfriend Dave’s apartment. Upon my arrival I was greeted with a warm welcome and the fragrance of freshly baked chicken pot pies. Apparently I stopped by on a good day because Dave was cooking! It was wonderful catching up and hearing about Scottie and Dave’s new adventures! Scottie recently began teaching at a school in the DC area. I’m not sure I realized how much work teachers put in to lesson plans, no matter the age of their students. Teaching is a huge responsibility, one which Scottie seems to be taking on very well!

Now I’m returning to California. But in the spirit of Canadian Thanksgiving here’s a list of things I give thanks to after the weekend…

Those who unselfishly fight for our freedoms, family, friends, teachers, good food, good company, memories, running shoes, exercise, nice weather, email, long walks, public transportation, good books, dreams, macs, Adele and Spotify.

Have a good Tuesday everyone!

B

I remember the first day I tried Yoga. I walked in the studio thinking, “This is gonna be a piece of cake. I can do repeat 600’s. I can squat 300lbs. Yoga ain’t got nothin’ on me.”  Well, I was a little overconfident because not only did I have no idea what I was doing, I spent half of the time sweating, out of breath, and trying to catch up to everyone in the next pose. So sad.

Our Inspiration for the day, Skylor Powell (pictured right),  has a very different story. After taking a 200hr certification class, she and a friend, Molly, decided to open their own Yoga Studio, Sprout Health, in Portland, Oregon. Skylor and Molly really value community, and wanted even those unable to afford classes to be able to attend, so they decided to have donation based classes. Clients give what they can when they  can. In this way, Sprout Health is available to anyone who wants to start living  a healthier life.

In addition to the Yoga Studio, they decided to include a wellness program. We all know that improving our health doesn’t just mean exercising; we have to change the way we eat and live. Sprout Health’s Wellness Program brings teachers to clients’ homes with the goal of helping them make healthier eating choices on their own. Additionally, Sprout Health’s website and blog have healthy recipes inspired by experimentation with fresh ingredients. I tried the Spinach and Romaine Salad with Shrimp and Walnuts recipe!  I’ve said too much already. Here’s more info straight from the source:

Interview with Skylor Powell of Sprout Health PDX

It’s very easy to have a dream. How did you implement your vision of Sprout Health?

To be honest with you, I leaped with eyes closed!  I have always been a little bit fearless in taking steps forward because I give very little time for considering the consequences. After I found the location that seemed to fit Sprout’s needs: beautiful flooring for a yoga studio, a kitchen for cooking classes, a living room where everyone would want to spend time, office space to meet clients in, a lot of natural light and an awesome location where people could find us easily, I got the key and was off and running.

You have a pretty amazing Wellness Program; can you break it down for us?

We try to offer a little something for everyone. There are programs that are as basic as taking you through the grocery store so that together, we can weed out the processed foods that pretend to be healthy because they are “low fat” or “low calorie” and focus on whole foods.  There are cabinetry clean outs, where we empty out bad foods and make room for the good ones! One month, three month, and group cleanses/health coaching programs to help change patterns and habits that keep people in ruts of being tired, irritable, overweight, and prevent them from living to their fullest potential.  We even have in-home healthy cooking crash courses, where we come into your space and cook some very simple dishes with your favorite ingredients, your pots and pans and your spices, so that you can easily replicate it when we are not around to help :).  We have mini consultations for people who just need a bit of accountability. We try to offer options to every level of price point and experience.

You have a 3 Month Health Coach Program that looks perfect. It seems that after drastically changing your routine, one would need consistent encouragement and support. What challenges have people faced once the program is through? How has the community built around Sprout helped enable positive health choices?

The key to our programs, especially the 3-month program, is to make changes that are manageable so that the encouragement and support is something that they can supply themselves simply by feeling the benefits of the changes. We try to make simple, minor changes over a period of time so that the transition is slow enough that the changes last. Through group cleanses, yoga classes, potlucks, workshops, and follow-up meetings, there are a myriad of opportunities for follow-up support systems.  The Sprout community blows my mind, every single day, with how much they support Sprout and each other.  Everyone just seems to want to see everyone else succeed! They speak encouraging words, they bring in healthy, delicious goodies, they talk, I mean really talk, before and after classes and programs. They take time to get to know each other. One of our dearest students, Gary, brings in eggs & berries for teachers and students to enjoy. Another student, Molly, brings in homemade Kombucha for everyone to share. They are all so dedicated to the well being of the community as a whole; it makes our job so easy!

What advice would you give someone eager to make a healthy change in his or her life?

Do it! What is holding you back from making one change that will inevitably open up a number of other doors in your life?

What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this point on every level. My mom, my brother and my dad, of course, who have only been sources of encouragement to make me the brave, and sometimes ignorant, soul who leaps without looking first; who have also been the people to help me up throughout life when the leaps end in falls! They pick up where I leave off and remind me that forgiveness is crucial to happiness. They are more love than any one girl could ask for.  They have been so supportive to my growth and it brings little tears to my eyes thinking about how important their dedication to family has been and still is today.  Our manager, Molly, of course, who selflessly puts in so many hours at Sprout without hesitation and is such a significant part of every decision that I make. She is the earth that my foundation at Sprout is made of.   I’m thankful for my closest friends and boyfriend who have been supportive to Sprout since day one. Friends who have gone out of their way a number of times (even rerouting their 1,500+ bike trip to come to the opening, THANK YOU GUYS!) just to see that Sprout is succeeding. The friends who paint Sprout’s walls, who make manikins and spend their weekends working, who run errands to insane places like Ikea on a Saturday by themselves just to make sure that our kitchen is appropriately stocked for cooking classes, who take hours and hours out of their days to build ladders and assist with cooking classes, who donate their time and effort to cleaning, teaching yoga classes and cooking classes and leading workshops, just to see us grow. The partnering businesses who donate free gifts to our raffles and spread the word about Sprout.  I am grateful for Portland rain! It keeps my extreme energy levels at a relatively neutral state so that I can concentrate and keep my priorities straight.   I am grateful that I live in a community that is so dedicated to happiness and change.  I am grateful for running water and food in my belly. I am grateful for Kenston Elementary, Hawken Upper School, The Mountain School of Milton Academy, Hobart and William Smith and Colorado College for all providing my education to get me here (a lot of transferring!). This list could really keep going, I am grateful for so much.  I am grateful for this fantastic opportunity to pause in my day so that I can reflect on everything and everyone that fills me with such joy!

Halle, Chinue, Brook

TOP 5 THINGS ABOUT CLEVELAND:

1. Everyone says “Please” and “Thank You.”

2.There’s greenery everywhere.

3. Fresh Air! I can go for a long run and not have an asthma attack!

4. Gas is $3.15 a gallon. I saw one station that said $2.89… I thought about bottling some up.

5. No traffic. You can get ANYWHERE in 30min max.

*The above are just a few for you Cleveland haters. I’ll come up with more if requested.

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My family and I traveled back to Cleveland this week. After a rough couple of days we finally brought my Grandmother home. Now I know, she is resting peacefully, seeing clearly and waiting patiently for our eventual final return.

Despite the circumstances of this trip, I must say, being in C-Town was quite nice. I’m thankful that the important things are just as I left them, and that the things that needed changing have improved. I know people complain about the weather in Cleveland (myself included), but the last two days were 60 and sunny! Who can complain about that?

I was only in town a few days but I did my best to see those important to me (I missed a few), eat my favorite foods, do a drive by of my old house and watch my niece compete in a volleyball match! On top of all of this, I saw family members that I hadn’t seen in almost 10 years! One or two didn’t recognize me.

For a girl who dreamed of getting the heck out of Ohio, it was definitely nice to be in Cleveland. Maybe I had to experience something drastically different to appreciate where I came from. I hope everyone gets the chance to give thanks to going home.

~Thankful

My favorite market! Miles!

          A good friend and I discussed the concept of a “Blog.” She said the idea didn’t meld well with her sensibilities because she associates blogs with diary entries, and she believes diary entries should be kept private. I totally agree with her. My hope is that everything posted on Thankful For a Million will be, in some way, helpful to whoever reads it. Each post should serve us instead of just me. This particular entry is about my Grandmother, Bakka. It might seem personal at first, but it will come full circle to, hopefully, be relevant to us.

Today I am thankful for four things: my Grandmother, my family, my friends and my health. Of course I’m thankful for them everyday but this feeling is especially intense right now.

Bakka passed yesterday morning at the wonderful age of 91. I knew exactly what to expect when I heard the phone ring at 6AM. It’s strange, no one calls with good news at 6AM, it’s only the bad news that can’t wait.

My heart broke yesterday morning. This woman served as more than a grandmother to me; she traded off as a parent, advisor, cheerleader and friend. Even though I was upset, I couldn’t help but feel relieved. I’m not sure if that’s taboo to say or not. For the past 9 months she’d been in a fierce battle with Cancer. Over the last three weeks things had gotten especially bad. For those who know her, they know that she was an extremely independent woman. Exactly one month before she’d gotten sick, she took a trip to NYC ALONE! She spent a couple of days shopping, eating and wandering the city. Pretty freaking awesome in you ask me! So for Grandma, getting to a point where she was entirely dependent on others was probably a nightmare. Now at least her soul is resting peacefully.

This summer I spent 3 weeks in DC visiting her. For those three weeks I went over to my Grandma’s every morning and stayed the day. We kept each other company, went for walks, spoke about our family history, and spent time at the resident turtle pond. She didn’t have the energy to leave her nursing home a lot, but we were able to make a Strawberry Daquiri run. One blazing hot day, as we sat by the turtle pond, I remember asking, “Grandma, how about we go and get strawberry daquiris tomorrow?” she replied, “Yes, that sounds really good!” When I left that day she said, “Daquiris tomorrow?” The next morning when I arrived she said, “Are we going to get daquiris now?”There was no way she would forget about a daquiri trip. That afternoon she, my cousin and I went to get drinks.  I’m sure the nursing home wouldn’t have approved, but that’s why we didn’t ask!

I’m thankful that  I had the opportunity to hear stories about my grandmother’s past, get every ounce of advice possible and that, for the last 5 years, I talked to my grandmother on the phone virtually everyday, until she was unable.

Grandma was quite an inspiration to me, because even being a Black woman growing up in the most difficult part of the 20th century, she managed to get her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. Anytime I think that something is close to impossible, I remind myself of this fact.  She has and will always be a role model for me.

Why I’m extra thankful for friends today: Aside from the fact that they sent condolences via text, email, Facebook, twitter, phone and carrier pigeon, they also contributed to my grandmother’s 90th birthday present. The entire Turner/Richardson clan asked friends if they would be willing to send her a birthday card. Our goal was that she get 90 cards on her 90th, and guess what, she got over 90! Thank you to those who contributed and/or thought about contributing!

Why I’m extra thankful for family today: My entire family came together to support my Grandmother in her fight and to support each other as we stood by her side. Our family may be small, but I’m thankful that we are strong.

So how does this effect us? I have some advice and I’ll try my best not to get preachy. Check in on those you love. Take the time to listen to people and their stories (Sadly, I didn’t start doing this until I was older). Time is short and there is value in everyone’s story both in their telling and receiving. Celebrate with those you love while they’re alive. And finally, the best piece of advice my Grandmother ever gave me…

“Be Cool.”

Love you, Grandma Bakka.

~Thankful

 I don’t usually do more than one post a day, however, today is an exception. Yesterday saw the passing of Wangari Maathai, 71. In case you weren’t aware, Maathai was the first ever African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded the Green Belt Movement which focused on sustainable development in poor regions of Kenya. More specifically GBM paid poor women to plant trees in their villages, thereby promoting environmental sustainability and women’s rights.

What I find equally interesting is what Maathai did to celebrate after winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She planted a tree.  Now we might not all  get to be Nobel Peace Prize winners or even create a massive political and environmental movement, but there is one thing we can take away from this, her willingness to give back.

So whatever it is that we accomplish, it will always be important to give back. Could there be a better way to celebrate?

If you’re interested in learning more about Wangari Maathaie, check out the doc Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai.

I am thankful for Maathai’s contributions to society and anyone willing to group the needs of the many with their own.

~Thankful