This morning I invited the Silkie Popcorn and her chick Penny to go outside. The sweet summer rain had washed the leaves and there was a feast of worms waiting for them. It is charming to see the chickens bounce around the yard. She walks a few steps, and her baby scurries quickly behind. Sometimes Penny is close enough to get kicked when
Popcorn scratches but she recovers easily and flutters back to mama's wing.
As I watched I remembered to stand up tall. Bringing both shoulders back I responded to what my posture instructor articulated last fall. Alignment is beginning to replace a slouch stance as a default and feels good. There were only seven classes but it was enough to shift my habits.
This month we are starting a marriage group. We will offer ideas and a chance to
practice appreciations, brag time, mirroring, and forgiveness. My hope is that some of those patterns will take hold, and show up months later.
Just the other day John felt uncomfortable about being honored for his time teaching, since there were pastors before him that did not receive the recognition. I reassured him that he had done a fine job and people wanted to thank him. He still stewed. Then I brought out a familiar exercise called Name that
Feeling.
"Do you feel a little guilty that you got a song and a gift and the two teachers before you didn't?"
He nodded and breathed out. Having me understand dulled the prickle that was keeping him from enjoying the tribute.
I think I will go watch the chickens again. Seeing her teach her little one without either words or a curriculum never gets old. After awhile I will bring them back in. The twins
constructed a cardboard staircase outside their box so that Penny can get inside on her one inch legs while Popcorn hops over the eighteen inch edge.
After all, most of us need a little help getting where we want to go.
