Dear Earth, what dance shall we do today?

It’s miserable out. My body is thick with an impending cold. Right now, I feel like a useless hulk of flesh. I want to go back to bed and hide.

A question keeps arising in me – what can I offer today? I don’t want to ask this question. I want to ask ‘what can I receive today?’. And still the other question insists on itself, a song thrush repeating its call.

Okay, let’s try. Today I can offer my care and attention to my psychotherapy clients. Hmm. As I write that, there’s a small easing somewhere. What else feels do-able? I can reply to two waiting letters from friends. Yes, that would be a nice thing to do, maybe even from bed. I’ll enjoy that and so will they. What else? I’ll dance the usual essential errands of a house-holder – breakfast for the animals and me, taking out the rubbish… but slower than usual. Slowly and with kindness to myself.

Do I have energy for anything else? No – that feels enough for today. Maybe I’ll read some more of ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’. Maybe I’ll eat some vegan fudge. Maybe later some fresh energy will arise like a bubbling spring, and maybe not.

Now I’ve decided on my offering, something is suddenly clear. You don’t need me to do anything, darling Earth, in order to receive your care. You’ll offer me your luscious fruits and nourishing grains whether or not I’m useful. You’ll ply me with oxygen, and play me the music of rustling leaves.

You know that I’ll feel better if I twirl in your arms, and that making some small offering is a way for me to step onto the dance floor. You know about the burden of guilt I carry, for not doing enough – for not being enough. You know how to help me with it. Once I start dancing, I almost forget it.

I’ll make a cup of tea now, and wake the little dog. She’ll stretch luxuriously and then her tail will start going, in her delight at another day, in her delight at my ordinary face. I’ll rub her flank and her soft pink belly, and she’ll roll over in bliss. After these words, that will be a good start to today’s gentle dance.

With so much love, Satya <3

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Gratitude for the photo by Drew Taylor on Unsplash