Heroes everywhere

There are a hundred things that are really hard for me that seem easy for others. I overcome secret hurdles every day, which means others do too: a whole planet inhabited by people constantly executing furtive acts of the most intimate heroism.

Pet scorpion

"There's a scorpion on your shoulder" says a guy to another on the bus. "I'll swat him - don't move".
"Oh no no" he replies "he's my pet".
"Pet?"
"Yeah. He's not real affectionate but he's good company. I can take him everywhere."
"Doesn't he sting, man?"
"Well, he won't if I respect his space."
It takes a full ten minutes for me to realize that everything I struggle to learn about love I could learn from that man and his pet scorpion.

My psoas muscle

My chiropractor recommended a massage therapist to help treat the pain in my psoas muscle. 
As she kneaded my leg she told me they have been a team for over 20 years: they met after her boyfriend shoved her down the stairs and my doctor got her mobile again with a single adjustment, then refused payment.
Instead of deep breaths I want to take notes. About how something awful like domestic abuse can lead to a life of work as a healer; and how lucky I am that I find stories everywhere.

Banana shampoo

I found this shampoo, which I used when it first came out. Its banana smell took me back to family beach vacations. Swimming in the open ocean. Walking barefoot on pebbled streets wrapped in colorful striped towels. Sand in my bathing suit and salt in my hair. Room service; loud, opinionated kids talking over each other. My dad ordering we not stay up late. Whispering past midnight. All mine again for an $8 bottle of shampoo. What a steal.

Celebrate prematurely

Why have we bought into the absurd belief that celebrating things before they happen jinxes them?

Always celebrate prematurely. If things don't work out the way you wanted, no one can take away the fact that you danced.