My landlord texted me this morning.

He and his wife would be in town this afternoon and asked if they could drop by. It was fine by me, but just for a moment, I felt a slight unease. It was past behavior.

I sat completely still to let the feeling pass. Glancing around the house, it wasn’t perfect, but it was in order. It wasn’t spotless, but it felt good.

I told him I had plans at 11:00, but will be home by 1:00, and got ready to leave the house. There’s an AA meeting I’ve been going to on Sunday mornings. For now, it’s like church and sober community rolled into one. I missed last Sunday and didn’t wish to miss today.

This was huge progress for me.

A few short years ago, I would’ve been scrubbing baseboards to make a good impression, but today, I placed the coffee cup in the sink and left for my meeting.

Last week, I was reading a lesson from SC Lourie’s Soul Reset about ‘People Pleasing.’ I didn’t really see where I met any of the criteria anymore. I can honestly say, I’m kind, but not on a mission to please others.

Today was proof.

When they arrived, they said the sweetest things and loved what we had done with the house. He told his wife they should take pictures, but I don’t believe what they felt would show up in a photo.

By the time they were walking out the door, he had it figured it. It was all the little touches, and the way my daughter and I choose to live that caused him to say, “Gosh Barb. It feels so calm and peaceful.”