On this first Friday in February, I am happy we are half way to the Spring Equinox. Usually I settle in and enjoy winter as a season of soup, warm woolens, quiet, and a good book. This brown warmish winter hasn't had the same quality. More likely, I am not the same person and the world is not the same.
This Friday, I am thinking about everyday activities as a meditation. That is I am savoring chopping carrots and onions for soup, holding a book of poetry in my hands, unloading clean dishes from the dishwasher, steeping a cup of ginger tea, dusting a wooden blind, and choosing cloth scraps for stitching. Last night, instead of thinking of this shawl as a never-ending project, I thought of each stitch as a prayer.
I am grateful for a warm house, the little downy woodpeckers in the neighborhood, blue sky, a walk, the smile of a neighbor, grocery store shelves that week after week sell red bell peppers, onions, broccoli, mandarin oranges, apples, decaf coffee, oatmeal, and more.
I am inspired by all the school employees, including my daughter, who are developing protocols, arming themselves with information about legal procedures in order to face the federal Immigration authorities when they come calling for school children. Whoever thought educators and school therapists would be called on to do this?
This week I made my own fun. Yesterday, I made Valentines for my grandchildren. They are getting their cards ready for classmates and their enthusiasm was catching. The three younger ones decided to include themselves in their preparations. As Jonah says, then he has an extra if anyone gets left out. Maybe we should all make a Valentine for ourselves and one for those who are left out. This week, I bought a few extra groceries in order to stock a Little Free Pantry. It is something I can do.
I hope you have a peaceful weekend.
I think your Jonah's thoughts on having an extra is a most excellent idea! My stress levels reduced reading your post as well...and including things to be grateful for and inspired by are good things! Happy weekend! XO
ReplyDeleteYou've made me realize that the simple multi-stranded hats I've been knitting have been an act of meditation. I can work on them without thinking and they make me calmer as a result. The bonus is that they're for charity, so someone's head will be warm at some point in the future.
ReplyDeleteI hope we can all make an effort to send a little love to those who are left out -- there are going to many people who could use some extra love.
This reminds me of a book I read years ago about a woman who went to live with an Amish family and they taught her that everything was an opportunity for gratitude and meditation. Lovely post
ReplyDeleteI've resumed meditating, but I like your idea of approaching everyday tasks as meditation. Maybe I'll try dusting like that tomorrow and see if I can improve my attitude toward cleaning. I like Jonah's attitude toward inclusion and bravo to your daughter for being ready. I hope that she nor any other teacher needs to use their information they've gathered, but better to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteSuch cute Valentines for the grands. I think we all need some more meditation during these times of extreme change. Our school district issued protocol to deal with current and future situations. I hope you have a good weekend. See you again soon.
ReplyDeleteWe are having to do a lot of things we never thought we'd have to do. We are in sad and scary times. Those valentine's are so cute.. your grands are going to love them.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling better - February already feels like it's been weeks long and how is it only the 9th? Your new journal is a treasure in the making. Very cool that you left purposeful space for stitching pieces. I finally got back to my own journal Thursday (I haven't been able to settle in to write while I'm in SC) and I started to feel like myself again. A friend talked about "doubling down" on the practices that ground us and that feels like very good advice.
ReplyDeleteAll of your crafts are so unique and special. I love the journal. So unique! Can't wait to see how it progresses.
ReplyDeleteOh! I do those meditations throughout the day. It makes the repetitive soothing and full of hope. I also will say 'how lucky am I to be doing....' it's a great way to reframe.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful plan . . . to view everyday tasks as a meditation! It's just a delightful way to move through the day, and to remember all that we DO have. XO
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