
(Slightly Amusing) Survey Included
It’s cold now.
Morning frost coats my car.
There is a damp chill in my house.
Then I remembered—if you close windows, the house becomes warmer.
I have a ‘thing’ about closing windows in September.
Then I closed the windows.
Now it’s warmer.
Then
I remembered—if you turn on the heat, it becomes even warmer.
I have a ‘thing; about turning on the heat in September.
Then
I turned on the heat.
Now it’s really warmer.
Now it’s comfortable.
I know what to do.
I know how to transition from summer to fall.
I know how to create comfort.
I just must do it.
~~~
Toss in a backdrop of pandemic-unchecked/election-unhinged/everything-unknown/….
Seasonal transition feels—
At best
For me
Intensified and rickety this year.
~~~
I feel wordless.
An unfamiliar place, indeed.
~~~
Solace.
I’ve been considering solace.
Again and again.
I’ve been considering solace.
- Solace—comfort or consolation in a time of distress, loneliness, or sadness
A relevant concept, right?
I’m interested in creating the circumstances in which I am comforted,
I am warmed,
I am held.
Solace as a verb.
- Solace—to give comfort, to give consolation in a time of loss and grieving
So much around me feels the contrary; I easily can feel distressed, cold, and alone.
We must do it for ourselves, dear friends.
Just as I remembered—closing windows works, turning on heat—that works.
Now I am warmer.
I must create the circumstances in which I can relax, renew, and be warmed.
Here’s what worked for me this week:
I received solace while:
- Lounging in a steaming bath, heavy with Epson salt and baking soda
- Considering, just considering Rachel Maddow’s voice, not even listening, just remembering she is out there, somewhere
- Locking eyes with Gibbs, the fantastic dog that works at Baldwin’s Hardware. (I would take his picture to send you, but I fear I might be hovering on canine-stalking by now. I did call to get the dog’s work schedule. Yes, I am that person.)
- Dropping down into this wonderful tribute to RBG from Central Synagogue’s most remarkable rabbi, Angela Buchdahl. This remembrance brought me comfort.
~~~
How and where do you find comfort and solace?
What relaxes you, softens you, and eases your angst?
Please send in a few of your responses to me at thecoacharuni@gmail.com. Feel free to explore the range between The Deep Dive and the Mundane Ridiculous. I will collate and post next week, with initials rather than with names. Do tell where you live, too. This might be interesting and fun and maybe, just maybe, we might get an idea or two from each other.
~~~
Dear Friends,
Whatever brings you solace,
Reach for it.
Breathe into it.
Weave it into your day.
Ride the waves of this seismographic shift of seasons
By spicing
Your days
With comfort.
Do it.
Do it mindfully.
Do it proactively.
Commit
To
It.
Commit
To
Comfort.
Commit
To yourself.
~~~
Be safe and well and let’s keep practicing.
Kindness to ourselves,
Kindness to others.
With love,
Aruni
~~~
- Simple Strategies to Struggle Less
I believe this will be a wondrous time to be together. I believe it will be a perfect time to be together. Let’s create solace for ourselves and for one another.
More details will follow, I’m working on it!
Save the date—Friday, October 23-Sunday, October 25
- Wisdom Circles
Connect to yourself, to one another, and to our simple and sustainable teachings. Our circles are a simple and elegant form of Devotional listening, super-simple and super-impactful. They are held on Thursdays, @ 2:00 EST.
This week our Circle will be on Thursday, October 1, @ 2:00 EST.
Here is the link: http://coacharuni.com/thursdaycircles/