As I sit here in Overboard Games & Puzzles, waiting for customers to show up, I’m eyeballing the shoes I’m wearing, the ones I had to buy to accomodate the ankle brace. They were fairly spendy and I balked at spending the money for them, but they are so comfortable and if I were going to walk, I needed shoes. I’m wearing a pair of blue socks that I knitted, a pattern of my own design, a simple sircular rib. A friend is coming soon and we will chat over the coffee he brings me. In the world of simple pleasures, I think I’ve mastered this area.
Life is not terrible, in other words. That doesn’t sound very optimistic, but maybe “not terrible†is also “pretty good.â€Â I’m not sure. It could be just semantics, and whether one sees the glass half full or half empty. In these leaner times, I have to search for a reason to feel gratitude. Hence, just sitting and observing – the comfort of my shoes. Handmade socks. A cup of coffee with a friend. And I’ll add this- the opportunity to write for others is a privilege. That’s what they must mean about “stop and smell the roses.â€
Its hard to take advantage of the slow times in our lives. My broken ankle forced me to slow down. I had to prioritize and feel okay with the circumstances. There was nothing for me to do except make the best of an irksome situation. I’m not sure- if someone had said, “Tobi, you seem to have much discontent. Why don’t you take 6 weeks out of your life for some reflection? That’s right, hunker down on that couch and see how it feels to have limited mobility. Imagine never walking again….â€
Pleased to say, I am walking again. Am I happy? I suppose so. Could life be better? Always. Am I working on it? Yes, daily. Having my somewhat boring routine back is comforting. No bombs go off in my neighborhood. No threats to my safety. No disruptive drama. Just a slow meditative life. One where I can knit my own socks or write what I please or walk to work. Those are the gifts in my life. A quiet life, waiting for me to appreciate it.
Counselor advice: Whatever your life looks like, figure out the parts that work for you. Chaotic life? Enjoy the busy-ness. Quiet life? Enjoy the peace. Things change .Expect change. Work with what is…. and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!