…Life’s dramas can take us out. One day we’re steady, traveling along with the ease of a gentle wind sweeping us through open door after open door.

Then suddenly, wham.

It might have been a rude bus driver, customer or spouse. A rainy day, lousy meeting, bad traffic or terrible news.

Tripped, slipped, stumbled. CRASH. road burn on the face.

The spiral is delightful after that. I’m upset. I am now upset that I am upset. I shouldn’t be upset or they shouldn’t be upset or someone or something in some way…

shouldn’t be this way!

And just like that we’re all caught up. No clear seeing or deep breaths. Sense of humour dissipates, heart aches, mind races. All caught up. Anxiety, anger, shame, rage. All caught up, all caught up.

What brings us back, what keeps us from from winding tighter, falling further, getting stickier?

You know. We always know. If we get still enough and listen, the thing that will help is the thing that quietly whispers that upset pretends it cannot hear…

“Get outside for a walk” I can’t hear you. “Just make that phone call” I can’t hear you. “Take a bath” I can’t hear you. “Apologize” I can’t hear you.

For me it’s an early morning and a cup of tea. Some meditation and an encounter with my yoga mat. It’s listening to someone else and helping them get out of being so caught up. It’s fresh air or pulling carrots from the garden or taking a break from writing a post to snuggle with my kid.