Tag: #Zen

Calm and Peaceful

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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.

roomtowork

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.”

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God Has Better in Store

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I love the way life is our teacher.

We can learn so much by paying attention.

I noticed the birds hadn’t used the bird feeder in a while. The feeder was introduced in the post It Took Years. It’s a beautiful feeder, but it’s been a battle with the squirrels. They could easily pop open the lid and dive all the way in for a feast.

We’ve had a lot of rain recently and it would seem that rain is not a friend of the feeder. Upon further investigation the seed was wet and molded.

I tried to save the feeder by washing it out.

There was no way to open the bottom to clean out the impacted seed, so the feeder was ruined. Note to self…Bring feeder inside during storms.

This is where it’s a choice. I could throw the clogged up feeder away and be done with the whole idea, but I love seeing the birds in the yard!

birdfeeder
My new bird feeder.

A trip to the local hardware store solved the issue.

This feeder cost the same amount of money as my last one, and it will be a fight for the squirrels. The lid locks and is almost as human proof as squirrel. If a squirrel grabs a perch the entire feeder slides down and the feeding holes close.

It can display three types of birdseed and vibrates massive Zen hanging by the Arbor. It surprised me was how much my taste has changed in a short amount of time. This one is so sleek compared to the previous one.

birdfeeder
Remember me? I’m pretty but won’t last.

When we let go of something a space opens up for new. We don’t have to hold on and try to fix it, or make it work. Just let it go. God has better in store.