Nature

Between appliances, cars, weather, work, family, friends, the State of Utah's Attorney General's office, and DCFS, I feel like someone must have a fire to my voodoo doll's butt (yea, I said it: butt).

Seriously, things keep happening in my life that require me to be "out of this world" calm. And I say "out of this world" because it's not human nature to remain calm when everything around you is anything but calm.

I guess it's my season to learn about calm. My time to learn about controlling my emotions--because I am sincerely getting some awesome opportunities to practice the art of calm. (As a sidenote: all of this practice is helping me realize that calm is something I better dang well teach our kids if they want to live a life filled with smiles.)

I'll tell you though, it's not easy.

Here's what I mean:


* It's unnatural to have someone yell, scream, and swear at you--and as they yell, you picture a waterfall. (But, I've done it.)

* It's unnatural to have someone suddenly stop talking to you--and your response is to brush it off and make a list of all the good things in your life. (But, I've done it.)

* It's unnatural to have your car break down when your bank account is also broken down--and respond with three deep breaths and a "I'm blessed in other ways." (But, I've done it.)

* It's unnatural to have your course textbook "go missing" only to have the replacement text be one you've never taught before--and respond with, "At least I get to learn new things." (But, I've done it.)

* It's unnatural to get in a quarrel with your spouse--and respond with "I promise not to hide your cellphone again." (Okay, I almost did that.)

* It's unnatural to do 18 loads of laundry only to have your child scream "Where's my shirt, MOM!?"--and respond with "Let me help you look, honey." (But, I've done it.)

* It's unnatural to get two hours of sleep--and still be willing to face another day of storms. (But, I've done it.)


I'm no wise sage (stop laughing), but I feel like I do know enough about life to know it's not "what you feel," but "what you know" that matters.

I'm REALLY learning that right now. I may FEEL sad/mad/fill-in the blank, but I KNOW better than to give into that. Do what you know, not what you feel.

Be calm.

***************

(But, I still think somewhere there has to be a voodoo doll of me with my hiney over a campfire.)