Common Threads

"We don't accomplish anything in this world alone... and whatever happens is the result of the tapestry of one's life and all of the weavings of individual threads form one to another that creates something" ~ Sandra Day O'Connor

Ask and you shall receive.

The other day I posted I had an idea for an article but wasn't certain how it should begin. I was looking for inspiration to bring this article to life.

Then it happened. The universe sent me a message.

7:40 am - It was an unusually stressful morning. At the last minute my schedule had changed. All I could think of was how to get things back on track. I got stuck in my head.

7:48 am - Ushering the kids out the door, trying to respond to work emails, I start stressing about the chain of events that needed to work so I can get to my meeting on time.

First, drop off kid 1 at camp down the road. Next, pick up kid 2's friend. Travel out of my way to drop them off at camp. Then, if timing is right, find a parking spot downtown to be at my meeting on time. Not much room for error. We were late.

7:51 am - Kid 2 still is not in the car. I lost my patience and exit my vehicle to chase her down. My car proceeds to roll BACKWARDS with kid 1 inside. I never put the car in park!

Before I could process what was really happening, the driver's side door catches the side of the garage. I throw the car in park, but it keeps moving backward, over extending the hinges on the f*cking door!!!

I let out the most God-awful sound in frustration. It was like the world stopped all around me. In that instant all I could hear was Mary Trombitas saying:

Watch for subtle messages from the universe.  When you feel an emotion.  Hold it until it passes.  Don't worry about the how.  Focus on the what.        

While this was not so subtle, I did what we practiced. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle.

Without prompting my husband took the kids to camp. I cancelled my meeting. Instead of thinking of all the things that had gone wrong. I stopped. I felt everything at my core. I sat with it. I realized my reaction was in my control.

My support system sprang into action. In about an hour and a half, the matter worked itself out simply by allowing one thought to lead to the next. It felt incredible. I rolled up to the body shop with my door tied to my car with a polka dotted head band. A little flair for the occasion!

But how is that possible? A year ago, I would have been in tears. Sitting in dread. Unable to process what to do. The answer is, this calm came from a million (conscious) tiny little shifts in behavior and mindset that I had practiced.

How often do you just go through the motions in the morning? Letting the stress of the day, traffic, screaming kid, etc. hold you back from being really present? We rush our way through our lives expecting that to make things "better".

Have you ever stopped to look at a mosaic up close? Really close? Focus in too much and it's impossible to see the magnificent piece of art hanging in front of you. Your life is a beautiful mosaic in the making. Appreciate the beauty of that.

I am certain I am not going to handle every stressful situation with as much poise and emotional intelligence. But that's ok. That's why I cast my net far and have gathered a large network of support. So I don't feel like I have to figure it all out on my own.

It's my village and I love it. I challenge everyone to look for the common threads in their own lives.

Beginning today, commit to slowing down. Breathing deeply. Letting life's minor inconveniences go. If you don't, the universe might literally rip the car door off to get your attention!

Need some inspiration on how to get started? Check out this post.

#Bettertogether #Bethechange