Passing Days and Living

     Looking back over a week, I discover that there exist gaps in my memory. Try as I might, I struggle to remember exactly what I did in the previous several days. Time is funny like that. I know that I was awake and doing many things, but I am not sure that I could tell you what they were. I know that I worked a little and prepared meals. I shared time with friends and found time to bury my nose in a book. I recall playing games and listening to music. Maybe even being outside and enjoying the sunny weather...or did it rain and snow?
     Yet, I have no regrets. I do not worry over not being able to recall this time. There is no sorrow or feelings of lost time. I simply realize that life took control and led me where it wished. I ate, worked, played, and slept. I was happy and down. Energetic and worn out. Sometimes you just need to go with the natural flow of life. You will accomplish what you can. You will meet who you should. And you will live your days and the days are meant to be lived.

No sorrow over lost time because there is no such thing as lost time.

Exhaustion and Results

     You toil all day. In the weather and with heavy tools. It is a big project that you have committed your time to. You labor and push yourself until the sun dips low in the sky. Then you wipe the sweat from your brow and the dust from your hands. A good day's work, you think to yourself. But as you carry your now heavy body homeward, you have to wonder about that thought. Muscles are weary and joints are tired. Your mind is foggy, but you must get home, get food, and then rest. Yes, you have completely exhausted yourself.

     At this point, by all means rest and give your weary body what it longs for. But also realize that all this exhaustion is not in vain. The are always results. Sure, there is the progress on your project. The actual physical labor that you completed is a clear sign that you are weary for a reason. There are also unseen results. When you are so tired and worn, your true thoughts and emotions will surface. Your fake fronts and walls come crashing down and you are truly revealed. This may be publicly or only to yourself. Either way you will find that in your mind-weary state, some fascinating revelations will surface. Take them for what they are and don't overreact. You may need to learn a lesson. You may need to confide in someone or even set a wrong right. Or you just may need to let go.

May the rewards of your toils be all yours.

Living Simply

     I love to wake up slowly and peacefully. My alarm was set, but I was gently woken by the warm caress of sunshine through the window and the sound of birds chirping. I breath deep and sit up in my modest bed. My room is small, but I do not require much space. Wash up, get dressed, and head downstairs - it is time to start the day. A good breakfast and a cup of tea get me ready for a day of good work.

     I didn't have internet or TV. I didn't worry about my appearance or what I was wearing. I worked and shared meals. My hands got dirty and I grew tired. Tasks were crossed off the list. It was an incredibly fulfilling day. And yet I am baffled by this. I didn't have all the luxuries that I am used to and spent most of the day doing manual labor. But by the time we called it quits, I was still happy and at peace. No matter the weather or change in plans. We worked and got through a day - simple as that. Nothing to cloud my mind or distract me. I was in nature and very aware of my surroundings. I had all that I needed and I now find myself at the end of the day - satisfied and free of regrets. Life can be that simple.

Watch out for clutter in your days. We need little more than food and community.

Settle In

     A new space. A new place to lay my head and pass the days. And most of all, a new place to store my stuff. I always start with arranging the big items in a space to fit my liking. Then I can fill every cranny and nook with my belongings. Stash a little there and set something out here. Fill that blank wall with something. The contents of my little car have now exploded out into my new space. I have made the once foreign space all my own.
     It occurs to me that humans are nesting creatures. We have our spaces and our belongings. We put everything in its proper place and work to create a comfortable setting. It is not that we lack resilience - we are fully capable of adapting. Our technology and advancements have made it possible for us to create spaces and to change our habitats. So, we nest and settle into our spaces. Part of our character is imprinted on our dwellings. All this so that we may call these spaces home. A place to return to and remember. A comfort when needed - a refuge in the storm.

Settle and find comfort - both in space and people.

Packing Away Stuff

     If you were to look around your room, chances are that you have a fair amount of stuff in it. We tend to collect stuff -- both necessities and simple joys. We surround ourselves with these objects and make our dwelling space comfortable. Sometimes we even get our identity wrapped up in our possessions. After all, it is our stuff. We can feel tied to it and where we keep it -- so much so that we feel that we can not live without our stuff. We collect it, store it, and protect it. The possessions we keep are our lives.

     But have you ever had to move? Can you picture what it takes to transport all the stuff of your life from where you are to a new place entirely? Sorting through everything and then packing it away into boxes and bags. Being careful and meticulous with your most valuable and dear possessions. Stuffing the clothes and shoes where you can. Throwing and shoving the odds and ends that you find at the end of the move into any place for the trip. Once everything is packed away in the car or truck, there is an odd moment. You can breathe. All that stuff is out of sight and, most likely, out of reach. You will find that you are not needing any of it at that very moment. You are alive and getting along just fine without having access to every little thing that you own. We need to realize that we have possessions merely for their comfort or entertainment. There is actually very little that we need to live our lives.

So, pack away the stuff of life and enjoy life.

Washed Clean

     I love rain showers. The large dark clouds roll in and the rumbling of thunder can be heard. The first drops of rain speckle the roadways and sidewalks. Soon everything has been lightly touched by the sprinkling drops. The rain picks up and builds into a steady shower. The water washes over the trees and buildings. It streams down the window panes as I watch. The world outside is being washed clean.
     As I sit and gaze, I find myself longing to be washed along with everything else. I would love to just have the rain wash away the stresses and and the occasional pain of life. All the dirt and grime that collects -- doubts, shame, sickness, weariness, uncertainness... To be cleansed and healed by a refreshing shower of water. Rather than run out the door and get soaked to the bone, I curl up with a cup of tea and watch the gentle shower out the window. This peaceful moment will have to be as close to the rain as I come. So I take time to reflect on the things I wish to be rid of and then let them go. It may feel like the dirt of life is clinging to me, but actually I am clinging onto it. I am holding tightly to all the stress and trouble -- not even knowing why. So, I let the tea and the rain relax my grip. Just let them go.

Allow for those peaceful and cleansing moments.

Old Familiar Habits

     It is incredible to me that no matter how much time passes, some habits will always feel natural. The routines of an old job or activity. The trees and turns of a favorite hiking trail. The handling of a favorite, familiar car. The feel of a comfortable bed and the sounds of house at night. It is not merely growing accustomed to these little details. It is more making them a part of our memories and our identities. They become so much a part of us that we can walk right back to them after any length of time.
     Returning to these familiar habits or activities feels like returning home. I never think of it as falling into ruts or boring routines. No, more of realizing and defining your own identity. Feeling that you have a place in this world -- even if you only feel that way when in certain places or doing certain things. Everything else is just adventure.

Enjoy the familiar, cozy moments. Be ready for the more adventurous ones.

Moving On Down The Road

     Life is unpredictable and keeps us moving. One opportunity ends just in time for another to begin. This is normal and often pretty beneficial. However, the refreshing change of pace is often accompanied by some transition time. A little bit of downtime and even a move to make. While this can feel like very hectic and unsettling time, it is a perfect time to prepare for the next big thing. Get everything in order and make sure that you can start off on the right foot. A little well-used prep time can make a transition painless and really put you into a balanced mental state. So, pack up and hit the road if you need -- just make sure to take time to process and prepare.

Be thankful for what you have experienced and get ready for what is ahead.

Relax, Rest, Return

     We all have our moments -- good and bad. There are days that just won't quite come together. Plans run aground and try as you might, your interactions just don't feel right. We make mistakes and we falter. We are human and must allow for that.
     So when these things happen, it is important to be alright with them. Relax and cut yourself some slack. Stressing and beating yourself up will only make you feel worse. Why do that? Also, it is nice to seek comfort in a wonderful loved one. Avoid the tendencies to hole up and shut everything out. Close, trusted interaction is good medicine. Take some time to rest and recover from your mistakes or your day. We can only run at full speed for so long. When something goes wrong, you can't just keep going. You need to stop, take it slow and allow yourself to regenerate. Trying to just work through will leave you more ragged and frustrated. Rest and know that it is time well spent. We are resilient -- we just need time.
     Once you have recovered and feel better about things, get back out there! It can be daunting to step right back into a situation after things don't go well. But you must take things on again. Don't feel intimidated. Come back to your routines with confidence and and a lesson learned. Know that you are capable and that you have taken time to allow you to move on. We must never let our faltering moments scare us into a corner, where we avoid interactions and taking chances. You have more abilities and knowledge than you think -- don't let the world out there keep you from exploring.

Our faults and weaknesses are only opportunities to learn and grow.

Give A Little Now, Get A Little More Later

     We are a society of instant gratification. Buy it now because it is the newest thing and you gotta have it. Waiting is not our style. Too often we rush our lives -- we rush decisions, service, and our work. This mad dash to get things moving usually gets us sloppy results. If we could just discipline ourselves into being patient with life, we might find that we can progress much further than expected. Our initial investment to wait a little, hold out a little longer, or work a little harder will pay off big in the end. We may not always get what we want and when we want it, but we will be richly rewarded for our patience. Let things occur at their own pace and do not  stress over any minor hardships. The long hours, the distance between loved ones, and the little bit of waiting will allow us to be ready and to appreciate what comes our way.

Plan for the long road ahead and your destination will be that much sweeter to reach.