Friday, July 25, 2008

The Stress-o-meter


It’s a gorgeous day, sunny and the perfect temperature. The horses are happy grazing on grass after two days of heavy rain. Unfortunately, I’m so tired and stressed out that I’m having a hard time enjoying anything right now. My daughter’s best friend from Virginia is visiting us. Her mother and I each drove half way to meet in the middle on Wednesday. It was very hard driving, with heavy rain and thunderstorms, but we made it home safely. Then, yesterday, as I drove around the corner from my house with the girls, my car broke down. Thankfully, it was here and not out on the highway. My mechanic is on vacation, and the boys at his shop are so busy that they haven’t even had time to look at the car to figure out what’s wrong. Thus, I am fidgeting and stressing big time as I wait for them to call and tell me something.

The children are entertaining themselves and have a wonderful time. The horses both feel better. Siete’s hoof abscess is healed, although I think she’s favoring her back right foot now. I have a tendency, you may have noticed, to worry about my horses as a way of distracting me from other problems in my life. Silk doesn’t seem to be itching, and her mane and coat are growing in normally again. We’ve got another two weeks on medication, and I’m hoping that the itching won’t start up again when we stop the steroids.

I’m about an 8 on the “stress-o-meter”, waiting for the phone to ring. If I call the mechanics’ again, they’re going to yell at me. Looking for some comfort, I turn to the Persian poet, Rumi:

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture

Still treat each guest honorably,
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Victoria, I read often comment little:
Very wise and centering words for this Friday afternoon! Thanks.
I'm sending some "minor-inexpensive-quick-to-fix" car repair vibes. Never heard of them? I just invented it for you.

Lasell Jaretzki Bartlett said...

Rumi is one of my favorites! Thank you for bringing his wisdom to the front of my brain today. I need those reminders to accept with open arms whatever surfaces as indeed 'this too shall pass.'

I had a difficult drive in some pouring rain after dark the other day. Very stressful -- I can relate!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Don't dwell on the negative things that are stressing you out right now. Think positive.
The car will be fixed one way or the other.
Silk and Siete are feeling much better than they were.
Your daughter has an old friend who has come to visit.
You made it through the thunderstorms, even though they were stressful and are now enjoying beautiful weather.
So, as Rumi advises let it all in and see where it all leads.
Have a peaceful weekend, good thoughts coming your way.

billie said...

I hope by now (evening) you have some answers and are feeling more relaxed.

The first year we lived here I had a Rumi calendar hanging on the bulletin board in the barn. Every time I walked in the barn door I read the quotes! Very useful in keeping my own inner peace.

Hope the weekend goes easy for you.

Deejbrown said...

As GreyHorseMatters says, more good thoughts are coming your way. Take a nap in the middle of tomorrow afternoon and stay in the mist awhile when awakening.

Janet Roper said...

Rumi is terrific, it seems he has words of wisdom for every occasion and every reason. I hope you found the comfort you were seeking.

Just remember to breathe, and let the horses help you breathe.
Harmony,
Janet

Carolynn Anctil said...

When stuff like that happens in my life, I always wonder what it is I'm supposed to be learning from this. And, hope that I figure it out quickly so I can get the heck out of whatever mess I find myself in at the moment.

I don't know Rumi's quotes very well. This one was profound and worth more than a cursory scan. I'll remember it the next time a bit of nasty business shows up at my door.