Perspective

The last couple of days have been far less fun than I remember in a long time. Our wood had dwindled to scraps trying to stretch it till my husband returns home, another week, and the drafty house that has consumed more trees in a small square footage than I have ever experienced, kept dropping in temperatures along with the outdoors. Our dryer takes a whole day to dry one load and my youngest keeps having accidents at night. After bundling up in all of my clothes and the last two clean blankets, I was still cold and turned on the electric heat to try and bring up the temps in this house. I didn't sleep all night and by this am the house was below 50, the outdoors -18, the dogs were cuddled up in the dirty laundry on the floor and all three children took hot showers to warm up enough to get to school. I turned off the heat as it was doing nothing and sat for a few minutes, almost in tears, when I made the choice to change my perspective.

I asked for guidance to help me find other options. I bagged up all of the laundry, filled the wood stove with all the wood that was left and took the boys to school. Driving in the warm truck was oh so cozy. I went to the laundromat with a book but instead ended up meditating along with the washing and drying. Something magical happened. I felt gratitude that was lost in the struggle. I gazed outside at the glistening "sparkle" that the sun rays make when combined with the cold temperature and saw the beauty of it.

I found some wood bundles at the grocer and remembered that a couple I met this last fall have ECO blocks in their shop so I stopped by. It was nice to chat with these wonderful people and I picked up a pack of these hot and long burning blocks. Then back at home, the fire was still burning, slow but alive. Packed it full and got it hot for the first time in a week, made myself some food and I am feeling the warming of the house as I write. I should hear from our local wood guy this afternoon about whether he found us some wood or not.

It is so easy for me to get buried underneath the thoughts that come when things get tough and then to see how I am making them tough by getting buried. I read the post about today as an auspicious day and smiled in remembrance of "thoughts become things", I am grateful.....

Michelle