The Adjustment

Our ability to adapt is so crucial to our progress. It's not always easy. I've been home for over a week now and I still feel unsettled. There's too much to do and not enough time to do it. Focus was easier without so many distractions. A million tasks surround me and they are filling in space like grains of sand in an hourglass. 

I'm going to have to prioritize and tackle one task at a time. Something has to give and I'm trying to make sure that it's not my health and well being. Everything will not be accomplished all at once. It's a test of patience.

I know I'm not alone in this. I've seen post after post on various social media platforms of people cycling through frustration, anger, depression and announcements of "taking a break" for mental health reasons. 

There's a lot going on for everyone and a lot going on in the world. We're all just trying to make it through, helping each other and ourselves as best we can. I'm reminded to have more patience, not just with myself, but with everyone. Life can be overwhelming. We have to be able to manage and feel good about that. I'm taking deep breaths and remembering that there is only so much I can do in any one given day. 

Keep going. Pace yourself. Take breaks and don't feel guilty about them. We need to secure our own oxygen masks before assisting others. 

Hey! Look at this! 

Much Love to you all...

xo,

T

Outward Appearances

You might think, "Aw! Look at that happy family!"

You might just as easily gasp and exclaim, "WHERE ARE THEIR MASKS?! How could they put everyone else in danger like that!?" and get mad as hell.

Meanwhile... after trying to record our next little family video without success and a series of other frustrations, we needed a mental health break.

It had been our second or third day's attempt at recording the new song for a variety of reasons, some of which I have chosen to forget, including someone needing ice for a bumped head, the screeching of nonsense words instead of lyrics or pleasant sounds, phone storage running out of space and/or a toy piano crashing to the floor. You get the idea.

It was "one of those days" when nothing was going smoothly and everything turned into a drama. I had just finished cleaning up some kind of accidental mess with the vacuum when Zachary decided to play "leaf blower" with the vacuum hose, which was all well and good until he swung it down too hard and sent a plume of dirt and dust particles flying all over the living room and into his hair. Oh - and did I fail to mention this was after I had already given him an unexpected shower for some other sticky mess (under protest) that morning?

We really just had to leave the house before mommy lost it completely.

Dogs were let out, sunscreen was applied, camera and masks were grabbed, and we set off in search of some pretty flowers to take pictures of. The car steered itself toward the beach. I had no idea if it was even open.

It was, but without this year's parking pass, we parked almost a mile away and I still wasn't sure we would make it, or if we would encounter too many people along the way. Although prepared to turn around, we were able to walk along a grassy stretch without anyone coming close and once we made it to the beach, there were very few people, all sufficiently spread out. Zachary had a blast in the sand, making a fine mess to his heart's content, and I had a much needed detox and break. The water is so beautiful and calming.

It was the perfect reset button.

My point is that in times like these, we might choose to remember that things aren't always what they seem and we would do well to exercise a little patience with others. We never know what kind of day they're having - regardless of their smile.

Love,
T

The Waiting Game

When I raced into the doctor's office for blood work, I was happy to see that the waiting room was empty. Then the receptionist handed me this card and told me I was number eight. I sat down and waited for my turn.

Sometimes waiting doesn't make any sense. I guess we just have to do it anyway.

#truestory LOL

Blessed week to you! xo

Love,
T

Adventures with Trees and Buddha

Last week began with a tree climbing adventure with Russ. It ended with a story about Buddha. Somehow, it all ties together in a way that makes perfect sense.

On Monday, we ventured into the trees on aerial obstacle courses. Our successful journey involved balance, strength, and conquering fear.

At the end of the week, I was asked to embark on another adventure of sorts. I was specifically asked to enter a potentially challenging situation and to meet any negativity with grace and love. It felt as if I was being tested, both mentally and spiritually, to see if I was able to take the "high road."

That journey also required balance, inner strength, and the complete abolition of fear. I became determined to simply stay on a course of positive energy, remaining focused and impervious to any outside influence. Mission accomplished.

The next day a friend of mine shared a story he knew about Buddha. I've since found several variations online. It goes something like this:

Buddha, having gained many followers at the time, encountered one specific traveler who seemed to be determined to make him angry. The man shouted offensive remarks, insulting Buddha and dishonoring him in front of his followers. Buddha remained calm and unruffled. He returned only kindness and love to the traveler. This continued for several days until finally the rude man asked Buddha why, after days of ridicule and verbal abuse was he still nothing but kind to him.

Buddha replied with a question: If someone gives you a gift and you do not accept it, to whom does it belong?

(Click here to link to another version on uua.org)

The point is that if someone is mean to you, or gives you the "gift" of rudeness, you do not have to accept it. Then the gift still belongs to the giver. We do not have to upset ourselves or stress out when others give us unwelcome gifts. We can simply choose not to accept them. No one has the power to anger or upset us unless we allow them to. That choice remains ours and we are empowered by it.

What gifts are we accepting from others? What gifts are we giving others?

I am reminded that there are all kinds of adventures and challenges in this life. Just as there are those of a physical nature, there are those of a mental and spiritual nature as well. We can embark on each of them with a sense of balance, strength and Love. If we choose to strive for balance, strength and Love in the face of all challenges, we'll be doing pretty good.

Namaste,
T
xoxo

P.S.
It occurs to me that sometimes the most loving thing to do, is love ourselves enough to remove ourselves from harmful situations. Blessed journey...