Salad Spinner Therapy

The rhythmic sound comes faster and faster the harder I pound on the top of the salad spinner using my force to create the centrifugal force that spins the water off of my freshly washed and stripped bunch of kale leaves.  The tears begin to flow.  Softly at first and then with greater urgency as if they are desperate to escape my body.  The physical energy being released through the salad spinner has made room for the emotional energy to seep out through my tear ducts.  I succumb while I finish cleaning the greens.

I allow myself to wallow in fear and frustration until all the tears are gone—fear of what the future may hold for our son with leukemia and our family, frustration that a project wasn’t finished, feeling small and insignificant, fear of not fulfilling my own expectations of this life and more.  I let it ALL out.

When I run out of tears, I switch gears to gratitude.  I have a wonderful family, amazing friends, a fantastic community and more love and support than I can measure.  I feel safe and cared for in my home.  I am lucky.  I am strong.  I am healthy.  I make a difference.

Ahhh.  I feel better.

And the bonus of salad spinner therapy?  Clean, fresh, healthy greens to serve to nourish those I love.

As we head into the Thanksgiving and holiday season, it’s important to take time with ourselves and let go of the emotional baggage that has built up over time so we can truly embrace each day with gratitude and love.  There really is more good in our lives than bad.  Seek the good.  Hang onto the good.  Fill your mind with good.  And if you want to, add a salad spinner to your holiday wish list and have your own therapy session.