Joy in weirdness

Monday morning blues
In reflection—
Sunshine & cicadas.
~

Why are Mondays so difficult? Could be the weekend didn’t turn out as planned. Or life isn’t what we want either. Maybe the week/month/years ahead don’t look too bright. Whatever the reason, for some of us, Mondays are where all this garbage crashes.

This morning, while doing the “beginning of week” chores, I chatted to self until the blues went away. Discovered a depth of Being previously unknown. Feel better.

OK—so, it’s weird to talk to yourself. If you have a shrink who helps, I’m happy for you. I’m especially glad if you have a friend who understands and responds with your best interests in mind. Some of us, however, need self-talk to get back on track. If you do this too, please don’t call yourself names. That’s not healthy.

Coincidentally, in my POWER OF NOW read yesterday, Mr. Tolle told me I need to dispense with self as best friend. Hmmm…I’ve always believed there are exceptions to every rule –LOL- and I’m sure Mr. Tolle would argue this with me, but I think that if we don’t take care of ourselves first, then we are unable to then be stewards of humanity as the highest of ideals dancing in our heads would have us be.

Be kind to yourself today, but don’t indulge either. It doesn’t matter if you secretly dip into a bad habit; you will know in your heart whether or not you live up to your own standards. But go easy, too, on those expectations. Deep inside, we’re all weird. There’s truly no such thing as “normal” when speaking of human behavior. Set goals that can be reached, then reach for them.

And it does help to know yourself. Go for it! Life gives us permission to be weird. As long as you’re kind to others too, smiles will follow you through the day.

Joy on Monday

Now that’s a challenge! Back in December of 2008, one of my “Monday Poems” published on Every Day Poets This is it:

Monday eve
Watching sunset
Trying to remember
Who I am.

Yes, the mind is a jumble, stretched between weekends and day-jobs. Though I have written other “Monday Poems”, this is my most recent:

The sun shines through the
Ragged edges of my life—
Yet still it’s Monday.

Mondays wrench us sideways. This morning I counted my blessings. Just knowing how many people in this world are starving …no, my problems pale in comparison.

This past weekend I did have a moment of Joy. Let me share it with you:

Reclining in the hammock under two huge sycamores
Reading, luxuriating in sunshine—
Deciding to tease the squirrels by smacking my lips,
Being surprised instead by a flock of small birds.
Tufted titmice, chickadees, cardinals, blue jays…
All came to see what the smacking was about,
Discovering instead a human
Trying very hard not to laugh.
My, the fuss!
Birds, birds, birds.

Hope your Monday is sweet.