“Sheila’s ‘Saucy Cocoon’ Look” – Photo by L. Weikel
A Day to Cocoon
Oooh, today’s post ‘count’ seems like it should be an auspicious. Day 101 with 1010 days left to my 1111 Devotion… Actually, it turned out to be a cocoon day.
From casual observation, it seemed like everybody else was feeling it too. The weather forecast once again was calling for it to get pretty slippery and slide-y out there. But I sensed a more generalized willingness to embrace the forecast. For instance, our school district canceled school for both students and the administration right out of the gate. That doesn’t happen often.
An Unexpected Wave of Closures
Then I received a notice that our bank was going to close at 1:00. The bookstore would also be closed. Even Owowcow decided not to open!
Inasmuch as I had no intention of driving anywhere (I’m not even sure Good Girl will start; there is that to consider), I could only applaud the wisdom of those closings – and marvel that they were taking place at all.
It seems to me that I’ve grown up in and lived in a society that values money over all. Capitalism rules. Working ‘hard’ is The American Way. And that can-do spirit always seemed to translate into stores staying open through thick and thin, from morning ‘til night, in abysmal weather or the most exquisite days of summer. It has resulted in people driving on roads that would be better left to be plowed when the snow stopped – and getting hurt, or worse, as a result.
So I was surprised. And as a person who works with people on all sorts of issues and feelings and conditions, it made me especially happy that people were choosing to stay home and cocoon. Because I feel that is precisely what all of us need, want, and actually require in order to get through the coming days.
Grabbing the Unexpected Opportunity for a Cocoon Day
I hope that, if you were anywhere in the vicinity of this snowstorm (with a coating of ice on top tonight, apparently), you took this unexpected day home from work to cocoon. To make something warm to eat, maybe drink some hot chocolate or a hot toddy (which are pretty yummy) and allow yourself to get lost in chapter upon chapter of a book you’ve been yearning to immerse yourself in. Perhaps take a walk, or try your hand at picking a card and noticing how it might apply to your life.
I know I wrote about this in my Snow Day post. But I can’t emphasize enough how insane our relentless focus on working is; on putting in the hours; on sacrificing ourselves, and often our marriages and family life, “for work.” It wreaks havoc on our bodies, our minds, and our emotions. But most importantly – and tragically – it wreaks havoc on our souls.
Which brings me to the magic about a day like today. It’s different than a weekend. Weekends tend to be as dramatically over-booked in our hectic lives as our weekdays – if not more so. It’s obviously better than a sick day, too (assuming, of course, we felt great today).
Cocooning Couture
Pictured above is Sheila, our 15 ½ year old Boston Terrier. She cocoons on a regular basis, and is a wonderful teacher of the artistry inherent in “cocooning correctly.”
Indeed, the photo above is her “Saucy Cocoon” look. Shortly after it was taken, we threw her coat on and practically had to drag her outside for our walk, heartless beasts that we are.
It was hilarious to watch her literally drag her feet. She did not want to take a walk late this afternoon. She kept trying to herd me into going back. (Which, by the way, is an amusing thing to witness: a Boston Terrier trying to act like a herd dog.)
She kept thinking we were going to change our minds and go back home. Cocoon. (I kept hearing her trying to mind-meld me. COCOON. MOMMY, COCOON.)
It Starts With Us – and It Takes Practice
Nevertheless, we persisted (to co-opt a phrase). We walked all the way around our usual route, past High Rocks, enjoying the muffled quiet (and dramatically reduced car traffic) that accompanies a snowfall. And in spite of the ice patches, crunchy snow, and the piles of slush she needed to navigate, she was clearly happy we’d insisted she join us. Her gate was spry and jaunty by the time we got home. (She gave up the mind-melding and efforts to turn us around after about a quarter of a mile into our walk.) Spartacus, of course, was all dog the whole way – simply delighted we were all together; happy to be alive and part of the family.
I’d like to think our society as a whole is starting to embrace the wisdom afforded by taking the occasional cocoon day. But even if it isn’t, we need to remember: it starts with us.
Hopefully, we’ll get at least one more day this winter to take a page from Sheila’s book, Cocooning Correctly. Will you sport the Saucy Cocoon look as well as she does? She makes it look easy, but I assure you: it takes practice!
(T-1010)