Monkey Mind
"The mind can be a crazy monkey always trying to escape"
I’m sorry that I missed last week, but I struggled to find words to share with you. I listened to podcasts. I looked at Pinterest boards. I wracked my brain. I had nothin’ new or inspirational so I typed the following out as I sat in uncertainty and kept it for a week. Sometimes it’s good to just let things sit. After rereading, I decided that there is value in sharing my monkey mind with you in hopes that you know you are not alone. This isn't necessarily a NHA post, but it's where I'm at at the moment.
For me, and maybe you, the last few weeks have been all over the map with thoughts like:
Will the district bring K-2 students back to in-person instruction?
What are we eating for dinner?
Who will win the presidential election?
Should Brene’ Brown run for office?
When is our next break?
What will we do for Thanksgiving?
Watching the COVID numbers in Wisconsin and wondering when are things going to get better?
How can I help lessen racial tensions?
Why did Tanner take a left instead of a right?
What will my new puppy’s temperament be like?
Is there life on Venus?
Is red wine better for me than white?
Plain or peanut?
What I found that might give people comfort, make you feel a little better, or just brighten your day?
Videos of dogs dressed up in Halloween costumes
A childhood picture of Duane “the Rock” Johnson (google it--hilarious)
The story of putting 24 rubber snakes in our colleague’s yard (whispered yells of “Abort! Abort!”)
Six-year-old Sam rapping the alphabet
A picture of a flower
A song that I haven’t heard in years
A podcast with an uplifting message
A phone call from a friend
A favorite meal from a local restaurant
Identifying all the greatness in every person and moment
Aerobic competition videos from the 80’s
And all the things I’ve talked about before:
Finding your people and being grateful they are there next to you
Feeling and expressing gratitude
Showing up and holding space for others
Telling the people who care about you what you need
Completing the stress cycle with activities
After a week of reflecting on my writing, there are some things that I know for certain. Life is constantly changing and time marches on. As Roseanne Roseannadanna says, “if it’s not one thing it’s another”. Eventually, we will go back to some sort of normal and we will get to decide how we remember 2020- with a better understanding of the human condition and more empathy because people are not blue or red but complicated creatures who share this little planet with us.
Be kind to yourself. Extend empathy and compassion to others. Lean into love. Love your people. Laugh when you can.
We see you working so hard. We see all that you do to be there for kids. We see you.
Karla.