Wow. Sukkot is 2 weeks away. Time is ticking. I think I’m a bit frazzled.
If there’s one thing I don’t like about Sukkot, it’s the packing.
Packing isn’t hard, it’s just hard work, especially when you have a 1,001 other things to do.
Not to mention (but I’m going to anyways), packing for Sukkot is like a mini-move. You have to decide what goes and what stays.
Then there’s cleaning the house (or apartment) and preparing it for when you return.
I don’t know about you, but I’m already tired and I don’t have any children in the mix!
I can’t fathom what it’s like to pack for everyone and then go off to Sukkot and enjoy the week just to return home and get back into the groove of life.
I tried that last year. It didn’t work. When I returned from Sukkot, I was overwhelmed with getting back into daily life, not to mention swamped with things to do and only so much time to do it in.
What was I missing?
This year, I’m prepping ahead of time for my return from Sukkot. Not only do I have a clean house, but organized and ready for me to jump in. There’s a meal plan (well, low-maintenance crock-pot recipes) and a new routine (more likely the old routine that is much more relaxed).
Yet, I cannot shake this foreboding of anxiety. I’m still missing a factor, and likely a very important one.
As I wrapped up my wrapping up (that’s the clean up of the organizing I started some time ago) and got ready for my bath (yes, it was close to midnight), I pondered on the missing link.
I slid down into the relaxing warm water, scented with a lovely essential oil blend and let my mind wander back to that thought. I chatted to Yahweh (I talked, He listened) as I washed my hair and soaked up the 20 minute vacation when it hit me!
The missing link!
I sat up in amazement, gripping the side of the tub from the sudden movement. I couldn’t believe myself! It was so simple but I missed it entirely!
From that point on, my entire perspective changed. I went from a loathing to being ready to take any bull by the horns (not literally, but with the attitude of it). The missing factor was my attitude, how I was viewing the whole event. From that perception, I built my world and it didn’t look good.
Once I changed gears and began to look at the same event with a different perception, my attitude changed, so did my outlook, and my disposition. Like a domino effect, I noticed an inward switch from anxiety to shalom. Surely I couldn’t be ready for everything coming my way, but I serve the Elohim of Impossibilities! And He knows and is ready for everything!
I chuckled to myself as I massaged the conditioner into my strands. How simple! How profound! How easy! How impacting! I got into that tub with a ton of bricks on my shoulders, dreading the days coming. Yet, I shook the water off my feet and stepped out onto the mat a new woman, ready to tackle my day (even if it was already midnight and the second item on the to-do list was to go to bed. The first? Finishing my post.)
In 4 or 5 hours from now, I’ll be awaking and ready to tackle Preparation Day + still pack and prepare for Sukkot + still manage the thrift store + help at the theater + still make it to Erev Shabbat at my sister’s and brother-in-law’s house. I’m ready.
Good night sweet Sisters.
0 Comments