Ever wake up in the morning and set your intention for the day? Kind of like a vision board for how the next 18 hours look in your head? This morning, I woke to cloudy skies and the sound of rain outside. Perfect day to relax...stretch...and feed my inner soul with some calm. It’s been a busy week in the home office and the weekend is within sight! Yes, today’s mood will be as seamless and cool as the expanse of blue stratus clouds outside of my window.
Five minutes into my plans for all things zen and namaste, I noticed a palmetto bug twitching its way slowly across my husband’s nightstand. (Side note - I am not afraid of a thing in this world except for these little creatures of the underworld). I quickly glance around and locate a bottle of glass cleaner. From a safe distance, I drown the demonic reptile insect until he falls onto the floor, and then I proceed to smash him with my husband’s running shoe repeatedly until there is no sign of life. All the while, my three-year old is crying hysterically, “No, Mommy! Don’t kill the spider! Don’t kill him, please!” After disposing of the body and cleaning the crime scene, I proceed to explain to my daughter why these bugs are disease-carrying disgusting critters that MUST be exterminated. She only stared at me, likely marking my resemblance to fiery Te Fiti from “Moana”.
Things continued their slippery slope downward as my dog had an incontinent episode narrowly missing being spread all over the house via the robot vacuum. Email notifications frantically sounding off. The dishwasher was full of dishes needing put away. Both washer and dryer were full of laundry. AND WHERE IS MY FAVORITE BLANKET.
Time out. I gave myself a literal time out. This day would match my vision board and I was determined to make it happen! I dropped my daughter off at my in-laws and returned home, extra tall coffee in hand. In my practice of expressing gratitude during this quarantine, I found few simple steps for creating a space for calm amidst the chaos.
The Bible Recap Podcast provided the perfect background as I handled the laundry and dishes. Sitting still and listening to a podcast or someone read the Old Testament just does not work for my squirrely brain. But toss in a chore and I am laser-focused on getting my mind right.
An ocean scented candle and a hawaiian screensaver on the big-screen TV set the perfect scene for this chilly spring morning. I may not physically be on the coast but it’s amazing how the sense of smell and sight can convince me I’m there. Instant mood-lifter.
A quick mop (after the robot vacuum did it’s thing with zero doggy mishaps) instantly calmed my nerves. It’s crazy how a clean house makes my anxiety go down ten levels. Something about shiny floors and uncluttered spaces embraces my very being.
A lunchtime yoga session was just what I needed to ground myself. Since I cannot attend my favorite local yoga center in person, the free classes being offered online during this time helps ease all of the instability in my mind and my world right now.
Every day still looks different during this season, every day still uncertain. I cannot control the day’s events or what the future holds, but I am confident I can (better) control my perspective. Life is so much sweeter when I seek love and light; even if there is a little bit of poo in my path.