03/10/2026
Hello everyone out there in the ether! I just wanted to share some thoughts as February turns to March. As we shared a couple of weeks ago, it was Random Acts of Kindness week and day and we had challenged everyone as our to try and put out into the world some little acts of kindness. I have to confess that life has been a bit upside down and sideways and topsy turvy and a lot of other things as I have begun this journey on our Canadian adventure. And what I’ve had to focus on more than giving is receiving. I have to say. I have a PhD level ability to give and take care of others. Receiving however? That’s been a bit more of a remedial kindergarten thing my whole life. It’s uncomfortable. I feel like I’ve dropped the ball by not reaching out first. But I know it’s also something I need to learn to be better about. Because sometimes receiving graciously is a gift to another giver. So. As a reflection on gratitude for the challenges February put forth in regards to Random Acts of Kindness, I’d like to report back on some of the kindness I've received and how much it means to me:
1. The gift of heart!: The pictures attached to this post are the beautiful canvases donated to the Companioning Center by local artist Carla O’Brien. The canvases have words like compassion, wisdom, healing, peace painted beneath the images she made for us- true blessings to guide us in our work for all of you and your pets. They are part of her 1 million hearts project to help spread love and community and connection to all she meets. These canvases are priceless and the gift of them is a kindness I’ll never ever forget!
2. My new Canadian work family: I have to say that my new coworkers here in Canada have been gems, each and every one of them. Patience abounds as they try to get a computer disaster like me to get used to using the computer system as well as just learning practice protocols and dealing with the switch to being in a general practice setting again. I’m grateful for their patient kindness with me so I can try and do better for them and practice the caliber of medicine I value. Each time they help me, it’s a step closer to my goal of bringing integrative and functional medicine into whole life care for the animals in this community.
3. The new clients I meet every day: Everyone has been very welcoming and curious and friendly with me! A client came by after I saw her and her dog and she left her business card so I could find an acupuncturist and a naturopathic doctor in town if I need it. Another made a point of offering her phone number if I needed someone to show me around local trails and parks. In a world where we are trying to be forever divided by social media and news, these real human connections matter a lot and that people take time out of their day to do them is a nice reminder that we are all in it together here on this planet.
4.. All of you!: Friends, family, clients, colleagues- so many of you have reached out and sent messages of encouragement to me and simply just checked in to make sure I’m ok and how things are going. These little acts of just noticing me and reminding me it will all be ok and that this is indeed an exciting adventure mean more than you can know. While it’s an amazing opportunity, it’s been hard. I miss all of you but please know you’re never far from my thoughts. Thank you for keeping me on your radar for checking in.
5. Little day to day occurrences: cars stopping at the crosswalks, shop clerks helping me find the things I need at the store, the woman at the Duncan Garage restaurant who was happy to pause and talk all things DnD with Jeremy and I, friendly smiles and suggestions as I navigate this new chapter, a warm reception at a local yoga studio- all of these things help the world to feel a bit more small and cozy and that I’m less alone.
As Ram Dass said, “We’re all just walking each other home.” All of these little moments of connection. Of kindness. Of checking on your tribe. Of welcoming others into your tribe. That’s kind of what all of this is about. And so, as we welcome spring and the equinox is just around the corner, let’s not leave the loving challenge put forth by February to lead with kindness in each and everything that we do. I love you all and wish you all the best!
In health,
Krisi
