Be Like Water

"Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water.  If you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup.  You put water in a bottle and it becomes the bottle.  You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.  Now, water can flow, or it can crash.  Be like water, my friend."
    --- Bruce Lee

I've been struggling a little bit these last few days.  Which has kind of surprised me, actually.  I mean . . . I should be really good at "self-isolating."  I have my knitting and sewing and art projects.  I have plenty of things to read.  I've got a well-stocked pantry. Streaming services.  The daily New York Times crossword puzzle.  Friends and family to talk to.  Tom at home.  Dogs to walk.  Plenty of cleaning and home-organizing tasks.  Gardening when the weather allows.  Really.  I have no end of things to occupy myself.  And I'm an introvert, to boot!  I actually enjoy quiet time at home!

And yet . . . 

While I'm not exactly anxious, I am definitely . . . unsettled, scattered, finding it hard to focus.  

So yesterday I spent some time meditating.  
And journaling.  
And I started thinking about . . . flow.

Be like water, my friend.

Keep moving.  
Tumble and rush over the rocks.  
Move smoothly around the obstacles in your path.  
Push outside the banks and boundaries.  
Rest quietly behind the log jams.  

Be like water, my friend.

Flow.

==

Today in the Look for Joy department, I have 2 things for you:

Thing 1:  If you'd like another Instagram distraction especially good for These Days, check out @goodnewsmovement. It's full of joy.  Also smiles and good chuckles.

Thing 2:  Knit designer Heather Sebastian is offering all her little "monster" patterns for free right now over on Ravelry.  She wants to "bring some light into this sad, scary situation we’re all in - and what better way than with monsters!"  I have knit her Minions before -- and they are adorable!  Yeah, they're futsy knitting.  But also fun.  And cheery.  Joyful, even. 

And in the COVID-19 department:

Do the empty shelves at the grocery store trouble you?  Maybe this article will help you feel better.

Stay well.
Wash your hands.
Flatten the curve.

 

Comments

[Bonny]

Me, too! I have plenty to do, but I'm also lacking the focus to do it. I end up sitting in front of the TV watching too much news and that is not a good thing. So I'm also meditating whenever I feel overly unsettled, and I'm also planning more than I usually do. Meals, knitting and reading time, blog posts, exercise, cleaning, etc. I haven't written down a schedule yet, but I will if I find myself not accomplishing anything and wasting time feeling anxious. Stay well and flow!

[Patty]

I woke up this morning and decided I must keep my phone away from me when sitting because there is nothing I need to see there that hasn't been there 500 times in the the last 24 hours. (Meme's, jokes, news, etc.) I'm still at work all day but not getting anything done at home. We've had some great walks in the woods though! Stay fluid my friend! :-)

[Carole]

You hit the nail on the head - there's plenty to do but feeling uncertain and anxious is hard to overcome. I'm glad the meditating ie helping.

[Mary]

I'm kind of loving NOT having to be productive right now. also #dailynaps.

[margene]

That uncertainty is unsettling me but my niece just texted to ask if I needed anything from the grocery as she was going in the morning and would look for what I needed. It's so nice to have someone who cares about you (since we have no children). I am not good at isolation. I can be alone, but I also need friend and interaction. Anyway, I think hour by hour, day by day is how we get through this. AND, enjoying the virtual life and friends we have (only the fun stuff!)!

[Debbie]

I'm feeling pretty much the same, just this unsettled feeling underlying everything. . I'm having a hard time staying focused and have the urge to check my phone often for any news updates. Although I'm an introvert and enjoy quiet time at home, I don't like the feeling of isolation, maybe because I live alone. I took my dog for a walk this afternoon and that was good for both of us!

[Kat]

Yes to all of this... the unsettled feelings and concern that Steve has to keep working every day. The concern for my children who are miles away is extra unsettling. I am not feeling isolation yet, but if this continues for a longer time - I think that will become a concern as well! Thank goodness for this community!

[Jane]

Amen. You describe the feeling so well - not exactly anxious or panicky but unsettled and sometimes ill at ease. Yes - let's keep each other going and look for joy and hope because it exists. I do think it is easier for those of us who are introverts to be more comfortable at home. Like you I have plenty to keep me occupied but I keep jumping from one idea to the next.

[Sarah]

I know exactly what you mean and am feeling much the same way. I've been working from home since last week and have been busy, which has been a distraction, but at the same time it also feels completely pointless. I work for a university and have been coordinating the graduation materials; late yesterday, they canceled graduation. So now I feel a bit aimless. I am extremely thankful, though, that I have a well-stocked stash, plenty of books to read, and lots of things to watch and listen to.

[Carolyn]

It’s the coming to grips with the magnitude of all this—that’s what’s making it hard for me to dig in deep to things. The incredulity of it. The feeling of being “snowed in”—-without the snow or any real ability to forecast... then, every once in a while, I get INTO something, like my daughter’s Sudoku, and I feel a little rejuvenated. If only for 15 minutes!