Today’s adventures began with the door to my room in the house I’m staying in blowing shut while I was in the shower. I discovered, while I stood dripping in a towel, that the door had somehow locked me out with my keys, clothes, money, phone and everything else I owned inside. Hmmm. Quite inconvenient, given my staff was going to be arriving to pick me up in 10 minutes. I changed back into pajamas and found the guard, who came in with a butter knife to see if he could unscrew off the deadbolt. I quickly realized this was going to take much longer than anticipated. I ran around to the windows, which are all barred, but managed to cut open the screen to make a hole large enough for my arm to fit through. Luckily my suitcase was open next to the window and I was able to grab some clean clothes. Phew. At least I wasn’t going to be teaching in pajamas today.
With a pair of borrowed flip flops, I combed through my wet hair with my fingers and my outfit was complete. I headed off to class significantly lighter than usual – no longer toting a bag filled with Wet Ones, hand sanitizer, wallet, phone, camera, chargers, Luna bars, water bottle, notebooks, pens, passport, teaching materials, calendar, business cards, blackberry, sunglasses and cloth wrap. I went through a small wave of panic, but then quickly settled into a new sense of liberation. Why can our women show up with nothing to their names, but I can’t seem to go 8 hours without accoutrements?
There has been a practice I have been working with in the US when I get overwhelmed by my never-ending list of to-dos and emails flagged for follow-up. I put all lists aside, meditate a moment and just feel into what is most important for me to respond to. Usually the most critical items come to mind and then I do not have to get overly distracted by the sheer quantity to tasks awaiting me. (Apologies to anyone I did accidentally let fall through the cracks – this is not meant to suggest you are not important). It is more about trusting my intuitive to guide me. Today I did the same – leaned into what felt important to teach and we actually had a more productive day than most. There was no stress, no need to take time to review notes or prepare. It just flowed.
Maybe we are a little too hung up on our stuff in the US. Even including those of us who think we are already anti-materialistic. What would it be like to go about an entire day with nothing but your clothes and shoes? I highly recommend you try it.
