November 30, 2021 8:00 am
NaBloPoMo 2021: Do Good, Kid
Day 30!! Thank you to all readers, and my fellow challenge tacklers, check them out–
Nancy over at Thoughts From the Back,
My fellow woman physician writer at Passion…unbridled, and
One of the most voracious readers alive, Love 2 Read 365!
Life is such a beautiful, terrifying, awesome, and dynamic balance of so many things, no? I want this, the last post of a 30 day challenge with special meaning, to shine as a worthy conclusion! I also want to have fun writing it, relieve myself of perfectionist pressure to ‘produce’. If I had infinite time and inspiration (and required no sleep), I could write so many more ethical earworm posts, right?
Always Do Your Best—If You Can Figure Out What That Means
Sacrifice, But Not Too Much
Vet Your Sources
Nod to the Cosmos
Forgive Yourself
Find A Why
What else?
What a long, strange trip—the past month, the last two years—life. I bought a customized ring with ‘one breath’ imprinted, to help me remember to stay in the moment, to ground. I like it, and ordered three more for friends also weathering hard times. I still fall down—catastrophize and freak out so much more than I want to admit. I can find peace, then it escapes me. But my friends refer to the ring and remind me: One Day, One Moment, One (deep) Breath at a Time—ODOMOBaaT. Maybe it was my subconscious finding the win-win, sharing a centering life mantra with dear friends, so they could then reflect it back to me? Nice, how that works out.
Do you wonder about Sven? Happily, I can report that it is alive and well on the bottom shelf of the fridge. I continue to learn and experiment, to growl in frustration and keep trying—I will get the hang of this one day! Meanwhile, a little yeast assisted sourdough (YASD) makes for fluffy loaves that family and friends enjoy. And what am I after more here, mastering a challenge, or sharing yum with loved ones? It’s both and, of course, but when push comes to shove, I can let up on perfecting Sven bread (for now) and simply enjoy serving something warm that brings folks together in love and connection. ODOMOBaaT.
Will I have done enough for Son to launch into independence by next fall? What’s around the corner for Daughter, Hubs, MaBa, Sibs, my three friends, work? Am I aging okay? When will I finally feel solid in these healthier eating habits? How can I write daily and get enough sleep, OMG? When will we finally arrive at some stability and equilibrium with COVID? How can I help people treat one another with more curiosity, kindness, generosity, humility, openness, and love? ODOMOBaaT.
Self-awareness, self-regulation, connection. It’s all an ongoing practice, an infinite game, no question.
Our challenges loom. Our gifts can shine, proliferate, amplify, and overcome—if we work together. So much to do, so little and so much time, infinite chances—every encounter, every breath an opportunity. Onward in solidarity!
As Mary Oliver asks, what will we each do with our ‘one wild and precious life’? We don’t have to decide right this minute. OD.OM.OB,aaT. It will all be okay.
Posted by Catherine Cheng, MD
Categories: gratitude, Health, Inspiration, love, mindfulness, NaBloPoMo, personal growth, relationship
Tags: HandmadeLoveStory Etsy, Mary Oliver The Summer Day, Simon Sinek Infinite Game
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Bravo, you made it! I have enjoyed every single post of Do Good, Kid; it was a great nablopomo theme and you really pulled it off.
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By Nancy on November 30, 2021 at 3:49 pm
Thank you, Nancy! This was the ‘funnest’ attempt yet. 🙂 One of my friends has started reading your blog and really enjoys it. We both agree that we would totally be friends with you! 😀
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By Catherine Cheng, MD on November 30, 2021 at 5:02 pm
[…] of everything being broken. A fellow NaBloPoMo-er ended her month of posts with another acronym, ODOMOBaat – One day, one moment, one breath at a time. I like that, it’s easier to feel whole […]
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By A Whole Month – Thoughts from the back on November 30, 2021 at 4:28 pm
Look at that. You nailed it!
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By Julie Steiner on November 30, 2021 at 5:22 pm
Thanks for reading along, old friend. 😘
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By Catherine Cheng, MD on November 30, 2021 at 5:47 pm
Thanks for the shoutout and for reading my posts this month! I really enjoy your thoughtful posts and I’m glad there are a few fellow NaBloPoMo-ers out there!
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By love2read365 on December 1, 2021 at 12:03 am
Thank you! So nice to have some buddies every year. Best wishes this holiday!!
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By Catherine Cheng, MD on December 1, 2021 at 11:23 pm
I have loved reading your posts. They have been thought provoking, insightful and healing on so many levels!
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By Natalie Conrardy on December 1, 2021 at 8:33 am
Thank you, Natalie! Best wishes to you and your family this holiday!!
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By Catherine Cheng, MD on December 1, 2021 at 11:13 am
[…] Onward, friends, ODOMOBaaT. […]
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By On the Shoulders of Others | Healing Through Connection on December 19, 2021 at 8:03 am
Cathy, I really liked the acronym as a mantra: ODOMO(d)BaaT. Do you pronounce it O-duh-MOWED-baht or some other way? However it’s pronounced, the concept is wonderful, for it reminds us that at any moment, we can ALWAYS press the reset button on our day, no matter what has preceded this moment.
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By Jay Pittard on December 22, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Thanks for reading, Jay! 😀 I pronounce it oh-doh-moh-bat… the ‘deep’ breath is optional 😉
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By Catherine Cheng, MD on December 22, 2021 at 1:23 pm
[…] ODOMOBaaT. […]
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By Moderate | Healing Through Connection on December 26, 2021 at 8:00 am
[…] Onward, friends, ODOMOBaaT! […]
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By The Optimistic Nihilist | Healing Through Connection on January 17, 2022 at 1:52 am
[…] and ODOMOBaaT, of course. That just goes without […]
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By Mantras for 2022 | Healing Through Connection on January 31, 2022 at 12:14 am
[…] ODOMOBaaT, my peeps. Until next time. […]
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By Place Holder: Elizabeth Lesser’s Wisdom | Healing Through Connection on March 12, 2022 at 5:21 pm
[…] ODOMOBaaT […]
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[…] ODOMOBaaT. […]
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[…] day, one moment, one breath at a time. ODOMOBaaT, my friends. We’ got […]
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[…] Peace out, my peeps—ODOMOBaaT. […]
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[…] ODOMOBaaT […]
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[…] myself, I commit to practicing, however imperfectily, one deep breath at a time. Before speaking. Before honking. Before entering a patient room. Before replying to an […]
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By What Are We Doing? | Healing Through Connection on December 13, 2022 at 7:18 pm
[…] the best way to die at peace is to live in peace, as much as possible, in each day, each moment, each breath. Easier said than […]
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By 8 and 10 Years of Healing Through Connection | Healing Through Connection on April 3, 2023 at 12:26 am
[…] strength and flexibility, two practices I value highly, and which Ma exemplifies. I still wear my ‘one breath’ ring, and upgraded to a more solid yin-yang band. Like my wedding rings, these pieces stay on 24/7; if […]
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By Talismans of Love | Healing Through Connection on October 23, 2023 at 12:01 am
[…] on me to function at my best. It was my first blog description of what many now know as my mantra, ODOMOBaaT: One Day, One Moment, One Breath at a […]
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By Holding Patience | Healing Through Connection on November 13, 2024 at 10:24 pm
[…] How would we be? I feel at peace. I feel confident that we can figure it all out, whatever it is, ODOMOBaaT–one day, one moment, one breath at a time. I smile more. I approach people with ease and […]
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By Holding Love | Healing Through Connection on November 20, 2024 at 10:37 pm
[…] The only way out is through; the best say through is together. One breath at a time. […]
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By Holding On | Healing Through Connection on November 30, 2024 at 11:56 pm
[…] The only way out is through; the best say through is together. One breath at a time. […]
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By Holding On | Healing Through Connection on November 30, 2024 at 11:56 pm
[…] ODOMOBaaT, I say and write oftenWhen I remember and breathe, my rigidities soften […]
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By Sometimes | Healing Through Connection on May 4, 2025 at 9:39 pm
[…] to this point of pending empty nest was, at times, not guaranteed. We got through it all together, one breath at at time. This moment is a big deal in our family. This moment is a big deal for our country. All of this on […]
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By This Moment | Healing Through Connection on June 15, 2025 at 10:20 pm
[…] intensity, risk—all my stress management skills and mantras called forth and tested:ODOMOBaaTGoals and trade-offsDo what you canDo what worksCommit and […]
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By Compassionate Consistency | Healing Through Connection on June 30, 2025 at 12:14 am
[…] to breathe deeply. I can be with and get through it, to find my most authentic and honest way, one breath at a time. I can regulate my thoughts, stories, words, actions, reactions, and relationships according to my […]
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By Recognize. Rest. Regulate | Healing Through Connection on July 20, 2025 at 11:38 pm
[…] work week commences. 15 days to launch. ODOMOBaaT. We’ GOT […]
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By What Transitions Call Forth | Healing Through Connection on August 10, 2025 at 10:44 pm
[…] matters. “All or something,” as The Betty Rocker says. ODOMOBaaT. I can choose to see every instance of friction and conflict as an opportunity to practice what I […]
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By Showing Up, Owning My Sh*t | Healing Through Connection on October 13, 2025 at 12:07 am
[…] Tested and Called. Anger and Courage. Openness, Curiosity, Empathy, Compassion, and Relationship. It’s all still worth working for, practicing, training, and leading. ODOMOBaaT. […]
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By Tested and Called | Healing Through Connection on January 25, 2026 at 11:24 pm
[…] I will try to muster something more coherent and thoughtful next week, friends. ODOMOBaaT. […]
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By We Rise Together | Healing Through Connection on February 1, 2026 at 10:55 pm