Are you seizing the day or turning into frog soup? Musing by Sheila

I was stuck in my usual routine and found myself in the same frustrations. Things were going ‘wrong’ in the house – no heat from the furnace, no hot water, broken latch on the fence, etc. and I found myself putting up with it simply because it is my default system to just endure discomforts while I wait for the plumber, electrician, etc. So several days go by in tolerated misery and poor productivity, but hey, what else could I do? Plenty, if I really thought about it.

1. I could ask for help
2. I could change my location, or
3. I could take a few days off and go on vacation.

I chose to break out of my default mode of muddling through and do somewhat of a combination of all three ideas.I started with asking for help and called a girlfriend to use her shower. Upon arriving, I had the house to myself, so instead of rushing through a shower and returning to a cold home, I opted for the long leisurely bath overlooking the scenic desert mountains – now this was more like it! I felt like I had escaped to a 5 star resort and the living was easy. I made  myself at home and set up shop in the back veranda (yes, the great outdoors was warmer than my house) and realized not only was there no need to be cold, I also found a new sense of creativity and productivity through a change of scenery and new work environment. Miraculously I was able to make up for the four days of non-productivity with grace, ease and rock star accommodations. The work practically did itself. By the end of the day I was able to pack up, head home and rest assured that the handymen would be there in the morning. Ironically, once all was fixed, there was no longer a dire need and I removed my layers of sweaters and headed outside my own backyard expanding my options of work space. It had been there the whole time, yet I hadn’t used it. What is most readily accessible to us, often goes unnoticed or we decide we will use ‘later’ when we have ‘more time.’ A premise confirmed by my friend who said she had not yet used her own glorious bathtub. She knew it would be there when she got around to it, yet the time never came.
Without an extreme, I may not have changed my routine. It reminds me of a story I was told long ago while in marriage counseling. I was feeling like a fool for putting up with my ‘situation’ aka marriage conditions, for so long. He said it was understandable that I would allow the situation to get that bad. It is akin to if you were to put a frog into a pot of boiling water, he will jump out immediately. However, if you put a frog in pond-degree temperatures and slowly, over time, keep turning up the heat, you will eventually have frog soup.

Lesson here, don’t become frog soup. I encourage you to shake things up, give yourself special treats and surprises, pamper, love and cherish yourself each day with a new experience or a favorite love – yes, my girlfriend may get to lounge in her bath next month or maybe not, so best seize the day today!