Kyla Basher Creative

Its always easier to just stay put when you’re feeling cold, ill, or otherwise just down and out.

The bed is just so warm. The house is just so quiet. I don’t want to be cold. I want to just stay under the covers with my dogs and keep my head from hurting.

Well, work, life, and other things don’t usually allow us to just stay put. We have to move, we have responsibilities and errands and life to endure.

It’s days like today that remind me just how important it is to actively cultivate energy and happiness. It’s hard work, and I’m not sure anyone really tells you that part. “Be the change you wish to see” they say, “If you smile and pretend to be happy, you actually will be happy!” they say. And in actuality these things are 100% true. It’s just that no one ever tells you the amount of intention and dedication you must bring to put these words into action.

Really – give yourselves a pat on the back for showing up everyday, for trying.

Today marks the 11th day of enduring life and the FLU. Who doesn’t hate being sick on top of everything else?! Aside from the FLU this week has been filled with long drives, broken down buses, and lots of high school students attempting to (environmentally) build fires.  Knowing what I was in for did help me to mentally prepare – and so despite my head feeling like a balloon and my nasal passages being impassable I opted for letting go of worry and rolling with the bouncing ball.

Despite the lack of energy, despite the lack of attention to my thesis and despite the countless cups of hot tea, hot water, and Dayquil I drank, slurped, or feel asleep to before I could get there – I did have fun. But really its because I didn’t want to face the alternative: feeling sorry for myself, and physically feeling worse, and putting that unwanted icky energy onto other people (including my students).

So with this momentum – I woke up this morning and looked outside: Rain….wet…cold…rain.

“Ugg…that is wet….and cold, common dogs lets go”. Bundled up we made our first round of the block, dripping and imagining our breath as cloud figurines. By the time I left for yoga my mind was made up: I’d donned my best yoga tights with rain pants, and my best yoga hoody with rain coat – set my Ipod to Loggins and Messina ” Your Mama Don’t Dance” and packed my waterproof bike bag.

I arrived to the studio soaked through – but happy and yes …warm.

Class was great – I was excited to be there and even a little proud of the wet circles on my rear end. Leaving class – the rain had stopped, my wet socks, jacket, pants, shoes and hat all felt warm after a few minutes back on – and the ride home was pleasant.

Just when you think this cultivating happy is working….. the headache sets in. And oh the annoyance of a sinus headache. “Arrgghh, I just want to feel better!!! Hmm what about a Hot Tottie?!”

Genius! I look up the receipe just in case I’d forgetten – and whip up the finest home remedy for a cold or FLU. The first sip was beautifully warm and comforting.

So now I look back at the week and the today. Do I still feel sick? Yes. Am I still tired? Yes. Do I still have more to do? Of course! But am I happy despite it all? You betcha.