It’s not often that I feel grateful for a dreary day, but today it seems perfect. A good day to be inside working on jewelry, with the cats heaped on the couch.
Outside the squirrel is pirating the bird feeder that hangs from the crabapple, and the pea, spinach, and arugula seeds are absorbing the rain — exactly what they need to grow.
- Estyn
You’ve done those “ideal day” visualization exercises, right? Well I just had my ideal morning, and hope almost ruined it. Over and over this morning I was dragged out of the present moment by hope -
I hope I feel this healthy tomorrow.
I hope I have enough energy later in the day.
I hope I don’t do the “wrong” things today to make me feel sicker tomorrow.
I hope, hope, hope.
Gratefully, I continued to abandon hope. Over and over again. And as a result I got to enjoy my ideal morning. Up early without an alarm clock. Remembered my dreams. Cuddled with dog (who had to be bribed with treats). Good coffee. Walking in the sunny woods with Happy. -Katy
I know it’s rather an acquired taste, but today I’m grateful to the friend who sent me an excerpt from Pema Chodron’s When Things Fall Apart called Hopelessness & Death.
Woo hoo! Hopelessness & Death!
It cheered me up. It reminded me that when we feel suffering it doesn’t mean that something is wrong. And the excerpt includes her encouragement to abandon hope… hope robs us of the present moment.
And even better, she quotes Suzuki Roshi as having said Life is like getting into a boat that’s just about to sail out to sea and sink.
I need to balance my intake of Tibetan Buddhism with significant amounts of Cute Overload though. Be sure to check out this wrestling match between the toddler and the cat.
-Katy
In this house it’s not unusual to walk into a room to find that someone is hiding behind a curtain.
It’s helpful to have a peekaboo cat if you’re prone to taking things too seriously.
- Estyn
I got an email today that referred to “this rather dreich day”. While I’m not a fan of dreary weather, dreich is one of my all-time favorite words.
It makes me realize how much joy I get from words and word play. What are your favorite words? Do they make you happy?
- Estyn
This is my current cute overload favorite. When feeling a little down or dumpy click to the seal. All will be well.
- Estyn
For guaranteed instant delight, I just can not top cute overload. I’m a special fan of her category “interspecies snorgling”. An excellent example.
-Katy
Last night I got back from a long weekend away and not only has the snow melted — yay!! — but the leek seeds that I planted 10 days ago are sprouting happily under lights in the basement. Perhaps this winter will end after all.
- Estyn
Here’s Happy sleeping and listening at the same time:
-Katy
My health is seriously bringing me down. I have nine appointments this month with five specialists trying to figure out what exactly is going on with this poor body. I need to remember to notice and appreciate anything that’s right about my health:
*Enough energy this weekend to do my laundry and the dog’s laundry
*Insurance will cover the next expensive diagnostic test
*Got through entire month without ibuprofen, a miracle
*Bizarre treatment #27 (drinking salt water) is delicious and satisfying, who knew?
*I could think clearly enough this morning to do a homework assignment with statistics in it
*Able to take Happy on a longer walk this afternoon
*A lot of people with my symptoms have trouble sleeping, but I don’t
*I can talk and breathe and stretch and sing and blog. I can hear and cook and nap and exercise and think
*BONUS GRATITUDE: I thought up an idea for my next book, an Oprah-friendly tome based on what I’m experiencing. I’m too tired today to draft it, but I’m excited about the possibilities
-Katy