I realized that today I'm thankful for many things in my life. First and foremost, it's Friday (and a payday to boot)! Also, I'm finally able to take a shower and start working out again! It's been over a week since I've done both and to put it frankly, I feel disgusting. Don't worry, I have been taking sponge baths. However, those do not compare whatsoever to the glorious warm water of the shower and the ultimate clean feeling that you experience afterwards. You're probably wondering why, but that's a whole separate story to be shared at a later time.

But on a more serious note, it's National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Yesterday I posted a #TBT on Instagram highlighting the fact that I used to have an eating disorder and received so much support on Instagram and Facebook. However, the most amazing and heartfelt support came from my dad, which can be seen at the bottom of this post. It left me speechless and I still feel like I can't find the right words to say, so I'm going to leave you all with a simple, yet honest quote by Buddha:

I'm a few days shy of my one month anniversary of no new blog posts. I could sit here and list excuses as to why I haven't written anything in almost a month: dog training classes, surgery, too busy at work, etc. However, there isn't an excuse. Last night, I spent about a few hours in my bed binge-watching Family Guy, folding laundry, checking Facebook and reading on-line beauty articles (i.e., $20 and Under Self Tanners). I could've thrown in writing a blog post into the mix. But I didn't, it's just something that lost importance to me and slipped away into the subconscious part of my mind. I really would like to change that though. A lot has happened in the past month that I wish I wrote about.

Here's one recent story I'd like to share (which explains why a picture of a Capitals game is chillin' at the top of the post):

Over the weekend, my boyfriend and I went to a Capitals game at the Verizon Center thanks to his parents who graciously gave us a set of their season tickets. In front of us sits Joe. Joe is an older man - probably in his late 60s - who LOVES the Capitals. You can tell not because he's an obnoxious fan, but because he's there every game - just him with his cowbell, Capitals cap, and Capitals jacket. He has a gentle enthusiasm and a good-natured presence that gives me as much joy as seeing the Capitals win. Maybe I'm just a softie, but it gives me such pleasure to see other people enjoy what they're passionate for.

I ask you to take a moment to watch your surroundings and to be aware of not what you're feeling, but what others are feeling around you. Watch Joe as the Capitals make their fourth goal against the Devils. Watch your baby niece giggle with laughter as your brother tickles her, makes the weirdest sounds and doesn't care if he looks like a buffoon as long as his daughter is happy. Watch your 15-year-old cousin with Down syndrome play air guitar as you crank up Sam Hunt's House Party in the car and sing a long with her at the top of your lungs. I promise you it'll be truly amazing and heartwarming.