When you wake up, do you remember your dreams?
Lately, my dreams have been in overdrive! When my dreams ramp up vividly, this usually means that my thoughts and anxieties have climbed beyond their average threshold of peace. Over the years, I’ve learned varying symbolisms that resonate with me when I wake up, which brings me to some level of understanding about what’s going on with me.
I come to realize that I may need to slow down or an issue may need my immediate attention. I may be coming to terms with certain aspects of life or some deeply-rooted subconscious emotional realization. Nonetheless, when my dreams run wild, it is an indicator that requires a specific (and most times an immediate) call to action - the need to transform or rebuild an unattended space within me.
Transformation and rebuilding is hard work! You can’t be a quitter while rebuilding. It requires diligence and commitment. You must be flexible and open-minded and must be willing to be uncomfortable and challenged. During these times you might be stretched beyond what you’ve ever imagined, to address whatever it is that needs attention.
For me, I never imagined the need for simultaneous caregiving for my parents, children, and grandchildren, job hunting, and managing all of our family’s business and financial matters (all while not forgetting to take care of myself). And then you sprinkle in a little bit of physical, emotional, and mental health concerns, nursing home care, hospitalizations, a fire, a pandemic, and virtual schooling - yep you guessed it…
You could CERTAINLY file this into my box of the impossible (because these actually are the real-life issues that I’ve shouldered recently)!
All my life I’ve carried this box with me, dragging around all of the stuff that seemed impossible. But for the first time, I now know what to do with the box...I unpack it. Simply put...I STOPPED CARRYING AROUND THE DARN BOX! These issues are not all mine, nor are they all mine to
carry. So for once in my life, I’ve learned how NOT to carry the burdens of adversity and calamity.
I must admit, in the past, I would pack the boxes (a BUNCH of them) and I’d neatly stack them in a corner to wait until something came along and destroyed them. Or worse, I would wait until they mystically disappeared. I got so accustomed to them being there that I’d continue to walk past them day-by-day until they became invisible to me. Toxic, I know - well, I no longer have space to hold this type of weight. I determine what is within my wheelhouse to handle and set up support systems that equip me with the bandwidth to unpack and dismantle the box. I commit intentional time towards troubleshooting and delegating and allowing others to assume the roles that are their designated assignments. I can offer guidance and support, but I am no longer in the business of singlehandedly vanquishing all of our nation’s worldwide problems.
No more. Not today. Not ever. My peace is finally at the top of my list of priorities!
This time of year is always a major time of reflection for me. It’s my birthday and the beginning of the holiday season. It is during this quarter of the year when gratitude floods my soul. I am overwhelmed with love and family so-much-so, that I don’t allow detriment and despair to consume or debilitate me.
During this season of celebration and family, I am reminded repeatedly of the valuable relationships that are alive and thriving in my life, the memories of loved ones who have passed on, as well as the wealth of love that flows through my family. Considering all these variables, I am motivated, inspired, and encouraged to face any obstacle I might meet. I also practice engaging in simple pleasures instead of over indulging in the pomp and circumstance that people sometimes make of the intricacies of life nowadays. Most days I prefer peace and simplicity. Jammed-packed schedules and the hustle and bustle of life no longer bring me joy.
Just this past week, when my birthday rolled around I thought how much fun it would be to get dolled up and go out to a nice place to eat. Before the day came I was almost ready to cancel and resort to a simple girls’ night in (which would have worked just as well). But, I knew that we had been tired of the pandemic keeping us tucked away in our homes, so I resisted the urge to cancel and went along with the original plan. But I still needed simplicity! Therefore, I picked a cute dress and opted for a smudge of lip gloss, eyeliner, and mascara and felt 100% beautiful and prepared to create an amazing memory with my besties! Barefaced and beautiful… Hey, it worked for me! And for thanksgiving neither my stomach nor my stamina was in the mood for all of the traditional trimmings, so we opted for a simple dinner and pajamas and movies. I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday memory this year.
Is this strategy 100% foolproof? Absolutely, not! It continues to be a daily task to practice mastering peace.
Sometimes simple is best! Sometimes simple creates peace and joy. Sometimes simple places you on a journey toward some of your most treasured memories. Unpack the box. Practice simplicity. Be intentional about protecting your peace.
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