More Week Than I Want to Deal With

This is insane: working nine hour days with a 35-50 minute commute on each end, plus at least an hour of take-home work a night, while trying to unpack and get ready for the conference! The good thing about the extra project at work is that I feel like I've got my arms around it and I'm actually driving activity and adding value. (How's that for corp speak?) In stark contrast to other project jobs I've been given, this one is dealing with functions I know, with people I know well, and with whom I have an existing working relationship. I'm also earning brownie points with the boss's boss in Miss V's absence, although supporting him adds to the load.

There's still a lot of stuff missing amongst the moving boxes, but I found my shampoo! It was in a box marked "Master Bath" that had been placed in Wolfling's bathroom by the highly energetic but not-careful-readers moving guys.

I bought some new clothes this evening, including a new set of bright red sexy-cuddly pj's. Chico's is my lifesaver. Their Traveller's collection is light, easy-to-wear, never wrinkles, and makes me feel elegant and comfortable. And they have great accessories. No jeans for me this weekend!

I am really looking forward to seeing a bunch of LJ friends face to face for the first time at the convention, especially oakmouse!

The Fear Factor

One way I can evaluate the depth/vitality of my spiritual life is in the degree of fear I feel about certain situations: traveling by air, for exampe -- or riding in elevators, or driving to unfamiliar places. During my not-spiritually-grounded times, I will feel intense anxiety about air travel at least a month in advance, climb six or eight flights of stairs rather than step into a well-maintained elevator, or get stressed out driving someplace I've never been before.

I'm not going to enjoy my flights this weekend, but I'm not frightened. I've been taking the elevator regularly at work without anxiety (although I still am not fond of the one in _storyteller_'s apartment building). And on Sunday evening I made the mistake of using Mapquest instead of calling a girlfriend for directions to her house from my new place, and ended up driving alone, in the dark, in the pouring rain, in the sticks, with my car making funny noises, but not feeling at all worried.

I've been upset and frustrated recently because I've felt like I've completely lost touch with my spiritual practice for weeks, but these indicators let me know that things aren't as bad as I've been thinking they are. Then there's the sage comfort offered by a friend: Just because you haven't been doing your practices doesn't mean you haven't been working.

On some level, something is working.