39

“So what’ve you been up to?” I inquired as the server encircled our table, strategically placing plates of sustenance within pockets of open table space. The sun continually winked through breaks in cloud cover as Autumn’s initial embrace enveloped Wicker Park. “Been super busy, few work projects, wedding planning, all the travel and oh yeah! We’re moving too, just across the street, but it’s moving. So busy, very busy. You?” She responded while drowning a fried tortilla in saffron colored salsa. A guac covered chip snapped between my teeth as I nodded with understanding. “Mhhmm.” My fingertips negotiated the fractured chip as it retreated from an inevitable doom. “Yes busy too, finished the first rough draft of the novel.” Nods of gratitude began between sips of lemon water. “Yes! Congrats. We heard, that’s awesome.” They harmonized. “Thank you, thank you. So, yes began the editing process with that, and I’ve also been working with a graphic designer... building a new website.” I spoke while making a guac sandwich then buried it in salsa, the green one this time. I can never tell which is spicier. “Can we have more chips please, I know this looks full... but by the time you retrieve more chips... this will have dwindled, we promise.” I requested with our under enthused server, she snarled, I smiled. “I also created a meditation guide for beginners, which I’ll be sharing with the world soon, and teaching. Oh and I officially moved all my and Jessica’s stuff across the country. And the dental laser stuff has been keeping me busy, gotta fuel all these other endeavors ya know. And travel, a ton of travel... but so fun, so blessed to be able to do so.” I nodded contentedly. “Website, meditation guide, teaching? What are you teaching?” A sole eyebrow arched with genuine curiosity as she inquired.

That’s when it hit me, some of my nearest and dearest weren’t abreast of all that was keeping me busy these days. Because I hadn’t shared the news with them. So here we are, an update, on Joe.

Inhale, hold breath...and Go! I consult for a dental laser firm outside of LA, they do wonderful stuff, really! They help people with periodontal disease, basically get rid of it. I know, I know… (insert snore acoustic) Boringggg! But I love the fact that I’m able to help people become healthier, and it’s pretty dope using a laser and all. Check it out, just google LANAP. And if you know of any dentists please introduce me! Exhaleeee….

There, that’s out of the way. Okay, time for the fun stuff.

I moved in. Like officially. Cuz I f*kin love San Diego. For five long years a storage container safeguarded nearly all of our belongings. Half a decade I’ve been living outside my home, quite a trip to say the least. Now, I’m settled with all of our stuff… which was entirely too much stuff. Like I made a fort out of coffee mugs too much stuff. The Goodwill off Encinitas Blvd is now the proud owner of said fort. My apartment embraces me every time I come home, such a difference existing within your own nest. And whole - e - shit, what a ton o’ work, but cool thing is I found a strand of Jessica’s hair. So naturally I made a doll, it glares at me from the top shelf of the worship altar. Here I am holding up a sole hair like it’s the Holy Grail of the Pantene Pro-V vault... but just five short years ago I wrestled strands of Jess’ hair like some poor fool drowning in spaghetti. During the summer months, mobs of thick, Lebanese hairballs stormed across our apartment like desert tumbleweed. I would yell at them. Yes, I would yell at the tumbleweed. It’s funny how one’s perception evolves into gratitude over the simplest things. I feel blessed, it’s surreal, always will be, but I have a home which is now mine and not borrowed. Speaking of perception… let me catch you up on what I’m teaching.

I teach people how to change the way they perceive their reality, which leads to a liberation of sorts. It began two years back with a friend. Ever since I’ve been helping many people understand their grief, and how to free themselves of it. And not only the grief associated with losing a loved one, any grief actually. We all grieve over something. My teaching consists of us merely chatting. I may have you read a few books, teach you how to meditate, and with practice; perception shifts allowing peace to flow in. Easy peasy right, ha! I know it’s a bit vague, but I’ll be sharing more with the launch of a… (Please imagine Bob Barker’s voice from “The Price is Right” for this next sentence.) Brand New Website! Yes, I’m stoked about this as there’s quite a few journal entries banked up which I long to share with y'all. There’s also going to be helpful videos, updates on the novel, and a bit more info on what my teaching entails. Also my “Meditation for Beginners” will be available on the website as well as Amazon Kindle. It’s a guide on how to make the perfect marinara sauce, add kalamata olives btw. I’ve been teaching many, many people how to meditate over the years. Chatting with them first, then sending a quick email instructional which over time grew into this super awesome guide… which will cost less than a latte! Excited to share soon:)

Travel, I’ve been international for over two months in 2018 alone. I’ve visited like twenty states this year with a few more to come. I still love traveling, but a different kind of traveling compared to the masses, at least I think so. But yeah, I’m kind of a jerk… because who doesn’t like traveling? “I love breathing.” “Yeah Joe, we all love breathing.” ALL these trips however, fuel the novel. You’ll see one day… I hope;) And yes - I know you’ve been scratch and sniffing that picture as you’ve been reading, the one with the adorable white tiger I just so happen to be cuddling. Well that’s one of my favorite moments from an international adventure this past year. Who gets to snuggle baby tigers? Well, I do. Before anyone throws a fuss, ‘Bigpaw’ was saved from an environment not conducive to his needs before being transferred to an appropriate sanctuary. I was able to meet him between not conducive and appropriate. Currently he’s living his best life. As a child, tigers were always such an inspiration and fascination for me, so this was a pretty profound moment. And truth be told, Bigpaw is no harmless kitten either. I lost a bit of blood that day, which just goes to show these types of wild animals are not meant to be pets.

So I think we’re all caught up, I’ll of course be sharing the release of these endeavors as they occur… I’m really curious to see what everyone will think! I cannot express enough gratitude to all of you reading this right now, yes you. For all of you have been such a huge part in my development, and now I’m able to teach others. Thank you for always reading, for supporting, for laughing, and for crying with me… for helping me, help another:)

Lastly, as it’s my bday… I’m finally 25. I’ll be celebrating by donating to Red Cross for the Tsunami Relief in Indonesia. Feel free to join me in celebrating by donating here:

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2018/indonesia-struck-by-a-series-of-powerful-earthquakes-and-a-destr.html

Journey well friends.

Joe Hehn