Gratitude!

Good evening, Hive! I’m home, at last. It’s been a while since I’ve done a freewrite. Not as entertaining as the pinup girls, I know. One of the things I love most about Hive is that its a blockchain journal and whenever I write one of these posts, I think of myself as an old man re-reading moments and milestones in my life documented here on the site. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude. My metaphysical friends like @tarotbyfergus and @lovejoy would point out that Spring is a time for renewal, and that may be true. Four months of a frigid Minnesota winter is thawing away to positive thoughts and focus.

Friends, first and foremost. I consider myself a good judge of character and my friend circle […or pentagram if you’d prefer] is probably my greatest support structure in my life. With my family, I tend to be the pillar, but @lovejoy, @ghostfish, @mada, and @caffetto family really do get my through. @lovejoy recently offered me quite a bit of encouragement and support with trying for another ENF round with Pomelo grants, and @ghostfish spent hours with me Sunday hanging this incredible tin ceiling. Another half to go, but it brings me so much joy.

Exercise has been another aspect of my life I’ve been extremely grateful for. After COVID and the arbitrary openings and closings of gyms, I’ll never take that for granted again. About 6 months ago, I started kickboxing at The Cellar just outside of the Minneapolis city limits. This has had a huge impact on myself, @vermillionfox and @guthrie. Quarantine had @guthrie facing way too many hours in front of Fortnite and I finally couldn’t take his sedentary lifestyle. We all go three days a week now and the physical and mental benefits are extraordinary.

Finally, family has been a real comfort for me lately. Some of the nights home have been lazy and that’s okay. I’m coming up on my third big trip of 2022 already, flying to Vegas on April 12th for Viva. We have a new family member. His name is Finney. He was a gift for @vermillionfox late last year and he’s doing great. He’s a blue eyed leucistic ball python and he joins our Brazilian true Redtail boa and tarantulas. All in all, as difficult as it is to keep life in balance, things are generally great right now.