Power Outage

Things that Went Right Today:

1) Family sing-along by candlelight!

2) Registered for the team beachbody coach summit in LA this Summer.
3) LOVE the new 8 week diet plan I found. It's not about weight loss..just about changing your nutritional habits.

A huge snowstorm on the east coast knocked out our power last night.  At first we all groaned and just waited for it to come right back on like it usually does, but it was soon clear this might be a longer term situation. We decided rather than complain to just have fun with it though. Lit a bunch of candles in the living room and everyone gathered around while my daughter played Taylor Swift songs on the guitar and we all sang along. It was corny, but we had a wonderful time there together in the candlelight. This morning when we woke up we assumed we'd have power again, but no luck. I was less enthusiastic about this, because I had many things planned for the day, and it was getting rather cold in the house. The work on the master bathroom would be delayed again. School was out because of the weather so the kids were all home, and I had nightmare visions of them getting on each other's nerves (and therefore on mine) all day long. Wasn't too thrilled about the prospect. But as it turned out the forced break was fabulous. We got a fire going in the office and shut ourselves in there together to stay warm. We brought in crayons for the little ones to draw and some board games for the older kids. I cancelled all of my appointments and curled up on the couch with my travel books to plan my Italy trip. Had been wanting to do that for awhile, but hadn't had the time. Dreaming of sightseeing while listening to my children laughing and playing together equals BLISS! As does a day free of errands and hammering and saws from the bath remodel. I felt myself relaxing almost as if I was on vacation. There was almost a twinge of regret when the lights finally flickered back on late this afternoon. Back to real life. I wouldn't want the power to go out all the time. But it helped us to appreciate how much we rely on electricity...from the microwave, to the hot water for a shower, to light to read by, to the refrigerator...we are blessed in a multitude of ways every day by the power of electricity in our homes and lives. It's nice to be reminded from time to time how amazing the things we take for granted really are. And to have a little rest from the normal day-to-day bustling around and just hang out with my family. It was a very nice day all in all.

Do you ever felt like your spirit has an internal power outage? Like things go dark and you can't see your way ahead very clearly? Find yourself floundering around and bumping into things? Unable to function in the ways that you are used to. Resources feel limited and life feels a little bit cold? I think for various reasons we all feel that way sometimes when hard times come into our lives, or when we make mistakes or feel we aren't as competent as others around us maybe? Many things can cause our internal lights to falter some at times or even to threaten to go out all together. These moments in life can be short  or extended in duration, but the way that we choose to respond to them can make all the difference in how the experience shapes us going forward. We can wallow and complain, but that will rarely do any good.  We can feel bad about ourselves and fight to restore power, but that too can be a self defeating effort. Far better to take stock in what we have to feel excited about. Gather with family and friends and sing. Yes it may still be dark, but at least there will be music right? Why not dream a little? Play a little. Cancel the things that just don't matter, and rest and relax a little. Eventually the light will come back on and we can have new appreciation for all we had been missing. But until then, there is still joy to be found in small and simple things. I'm grateful this day for the power and strength I draw from others when mine wavers. For the warmth and light they share with me every day of my life. And I am grateful the power is back on! Today was a lovely day!