What? – Photo: L. Weikel

Lull

The week between Christmas and New Years is a classic opportunity for most of us to step back and experience the lull. Sadly, it’s a safe bet there will be exponentially more angst and uncertainty this coming week than normal.

Normal. What a quaint and impossible to define concept, especially this year. Which makes indulging the lull even more of a responsibility.

Comforting Routine

Karl and I managed to take a walk today. It was normal, for all intents and purposes. Uneventful. An attempt to re-engage with our routine.

I only took a few photos. None of them screamed, “This merits a post!” But I’ll include a couple anyway.

It felt comforting to take a walk after having missed the last three days (at least). This was quite a long stretch to go without our daily immersion in nature. I was feeling it, feeling the disconnection.

As much as walking is sacred to me, I’m curious at how easy it is to fall out of the habit. Even worse is how insidiously easy it is to then talk myself out of resuming that which keeps me grounded and balanced.

Why do I do that to myself? It’s the same with my writing. And reading for pleasure. It’s almost as if it’s a sin against nature to allow myself to stop thinking about all the things I ‘should’ be doing for a moment and just be. Just read. Just write in my journal.

Really? – Photo: L. Weikel

I Know Better

Intellectually, I know better. Of course I do! I know the value – the necessity – of taking care of our own needs and keeping ourselves nourished and nurtured. I also know how much better I feel when I walk, when I give myself an opportunity to listen to a flock of geese and feel the thrill of having a chat with a doe.

My habit of resisting what’s best for my heart and soul when I need it the most is tedious. I see it and recognize it, but I’m not going to indulge it. It’s based in an old set of beliefs that don’t work anymore, and frankly, never did.

I intend to indulge – and enjoy – the lull tomorrow. Perhaps you’ll join me and we can maybe even commit to extending the lull right up to the official conclusion of this cataclysmic year.

And there’s that gentleness showing up again, calling my name. Yours too, I bet.

Talk to the Tail – Photo: L. Weikel

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