
This morning I sat quietly on the couch sipping coffee. I sat next to my spouse and we didn’t say a word. In place of our voices was the sound of birds chirping. It was a beautiful, harmonious orchestra of sound. I (for once) did not feel the need to talk, or chatter, babbling away the awkward silence.
During my shower today I noticed that the new shampoo I was using had a scent to it, not bad, nor good, but just a scent. It also felt like it was bubbling on my scalp, like a little massage. In a similar fashion, the body wash that I used today took me back to my childhood. The soap smelled like what I recall from my paternal Grandmother’s home. This made me smile, and then think of Mommom. I said a prayer for her, and wished her safety and health.
As I was getting ready, I noticed my cat blocking my walking path heading out of my room. He is a large cat, but we won’t cite pounds because he’s a little embarrassed. He was laying down on the ground like a speed bump. A big orange and white furry speed bump. I spoke to him and he turned his head and looked up at me. I asked him to show me his belly and after a few requests he did in fact show me his belly. I am so filled with gratitude that I had time today to have this interaction with my pet.
Speaking of pets, while I was sitting at my dining table (today is a work from home day) my girl cat was snuggled up on the chair next to me. It wasn’t long that I heard her snoring. It was sweet, nasally, but kind of adorable snore. A good 30 minutes into the snoring, I started hearing this squishy sound. I looked down at her and she was clearly asleep, and in her sleep, she was suckling. I wondered what she was dreaming, perhaps dreaming of her mama back when she was a baby kitty. I was able to be home and able to encounter this experience, wonderful!
Most recently I have started sewing cloth masks for those in need. I was inspired by my mother as she too is making masks. When I was ready to metaphorically throw my sewing machine out the window this weekend, she swooped in with her super mom cape and helped me out through a face-time technical support call. I am so grateful that I have taken the time, and opportunity, to sit still and sew. It is a gift that keeps giving.
Much is not within my control. Not being in control is very challenging for me. I have worked diligently for years trying to be in control of as much as I could. This turned out to not be very much, but I still tried, even though I ended up failing, and failing a lot. I can not change what’s happening in the world. There is so much going on, so much tragedy. Yet, I can control how I handle it.
I can handle the desire to be in control by listening to the birds in the morning. By sitting next to my spouse and just being in his presence. I can allow myself to pay more attention to my pets and how they make my life better. Using my time and talents for others brings a sense of worth and being into my life.
There’s not much I can do on a global scale, but on the small scale, there is a whole lot that I can do. I think it falls to perspective. If I focus on the negative, then I will stay down. When I use my senses to appreciate the gifts that have been hidden due to my inability to literally stop and smell the roses, my life will be made better.
Love it! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Thank you so much! Even through the tough times I am really trying to look at all the ways that I am blessed.
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Absolutely! A good rule to live by. 🕊
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