So, today’s Day 6 task was to ‘shrug it off’. I’m supposed to live guilt-free today, as apparently beating myself up about the little things will only lead to self-defeat and stress. However, I’m JEWISH. So, the guilt-free thing is a hard one, supposedly.
What I tried to do, however, is follow the teachings of my yoga teachers. When thoughts invade when you are practicing yoga, you are supposed to welcome them, embrace them, and then let them go. Just like little birdies, you send them to fly away. So, in that spirit, here are some things I felt guilty about today, and FORCED MYSELF TO LET GO.
I felt guilty about my daughter who didn’t feel well, and who I made go to school anyways. Oh, actually, I didn’t feel that bad as she wasn’t really sick, but just didn’t want to get up.
I felt guilty about sitting at Bagel World and having a long and chatty breakfast with my friend. Oh, actually, i didn’t feel guilty about that, since its been a long time since I had a nice breakfast with a friend.
I felt guilty about eating a double poppy toasted flat bagel with cream cheese at aforementioned breakfast. Oh, actually, I didn’t feel guilty about that since I had poached eggs with the bagel, which are definitely lo cal.
I felt guilty about spending $250 at Costco. Oh actually, I didn’t as I bought TP and paper towels on sale and actually SAVED $8.00 doing so.
I felt guilty about the 9 loads of laundry that were waiting for me at home while I was out doing all those other things above. Oh, actually, I didn’t, since most of those clothes were not mine, and seriously, how many pairs of pants can people wear in three days. i mean, SERIOUSLY.
I felt guilty about the fact that I only made soup for my kids for dinner. Oh, actually, I didn’t, since it was homemade lentil barley soup with tomato, onion, and cumin, and was extremely healthy.
The only thing I felt guilty about is that I didn’t have the time to go to yoga today AGAIN. Oh, actually, I did have time at 8:00 but I was on Twitter instead. So, maybe I can feel guilty about that last one.
Oh, and I POSSIBLY feel guilty that tomorrow is Chanukah and I don’t have any of the accoutrements for the kids such as chocolate money, applesauce for the latkes, or THEIR GIFTS.
Notwithstanding the last one, which may be serious, Chatelaine Magazine is right. Because, the little indulgences, like breakfast with a friend, or hanging at Costco, actually let you feel more satisfied and content when you’ve got bigger things to deal with (like a hugely messy kitchen or 9 loads of laundry in one day.)
And, writing this while drinking a lovely glass of Chateau des Charmes GenSeven wine, I can enjoy a guilt free indulgence. Because the Bosc Family, owners of the beautiful Chateau in Niagara, Ontario, donate $1.00 from every bottle sold of this delicious vino to Meal Exchange: A hunger problem and student solution.
Now, for a little humour about appeasing our guilt. Enjoy!