thoughts in the middle of a storm

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The prompt at Sharing Our Stories has been tugging at me. In an act of obedience, I am taking the time to write a response.

Everyone you meet, everyone you scroll past on social media, everyone who is walking on this big rock of a planet has a storm brewing, a storm raging, or a storm calming around them. It is true for you. It is true for me.

 

When this happens, what are some of the thoughts that roll through my mind?

  • I should buy some Swedish Fish.
  • Jesus, I need you.
  • I need a walk.
  • I don’t have time for one more thing.
  • I wish I had some red licorice.
  • Good things happen to me and through me.
  • I don’t know why I”m exhausted.
  • Washing the laundry is a nice gift to my future self.
  • I hope I don’t forget to do that thing.
  • Black jelly beans make me feel better.
  • Maybe Jas wants to go for a walk.
  • I am so far behind.
  • I have enough energy to order a grocery pickup.
  • I can smile.
  • I should laugh.
  • I wonder if Sam ate all of the chocolate.
  • I would feel better if I do my yoga routine.
  • God loves me.
  • A list will help me get all of the things done so I can hold it together for a few more days.
  • Keep. It. Together. 
  • Do the right thing.
  • Treat people right.
  • Win the day.
  • Don’t go back to bed once the alarm goes off.
  • Write.
  • I should do my best and God can do the rest.
  • Who ate all of the peachy rings?
  • Put on lotion.
  • Put on lipstick.
  • It’s okay to be still.
  • It’s okay to watch the sunset.
  • It’s okay to stare at the stars.
  • Chopping vegetables will make me feel better.
  • Dinner together is worth the effort to cook.
  • Remember, I love to cook.
  • Just because I feel it, doesn’t make it true.
  • I am loved.
  • I am okay.
  • I should make cookies or cake or pie…and give some away.
  • I should write a letter to a friend.
  • I need a hug.

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10 Comments »

  2. This list felt very true–the things you need, the things that are gifts, the things that are simply raw feelings. Reading this felt like the line we walk in a storm as we try to figure it all out and still keep it all together. I’m glad you wrote this.

    P.S. My husband and son are so with you on the black jelly beans…I buy bags by the armful at Easter, as it’s the only time we can find them!

  3. There are so many lines here that I can realte to, but the one that made me really think was “dinner together is worth the effort to cook.” So much of my life and memories are around the dinner table or specific foods. Those memories would not exist if not for the effort to cook. I recently read something that said memories of experiences are more significant than the experience itself. I’m beginning to see some truth in them.

  5. All of these resonate with me…”I don’t have time for one more thing”, “I’m okay”, “I can do this”, “I should buy some swedish fish”…yes, I connect to all of these!

  7. This self-talk, “It’s okay to ____” fill in the blank can only be written by a woman, mother, superwoman who tries to be everything all at once. “Why am I exhausted?” We need to write these truths and give ourselves permission to be OK, to eat candy, and to nurture ourselves. No one else is going to do it for us.

  8. I love your list. It’s inspirational. And several things I can relate to. Writing and a cake always sound so good. Who did eat the peachy thing?