Yoga

I found myself with an hour of free time late in the afternoon. As I was already out & about I decided to run into Kroger to pick up a few things. Because I wasn’t planning on going there, I didn’t have my shopping list with me.

I knew that I needed 6 items to make what I had in mind for dinner, so I decided to assign each ingredient to a finger/thumb. The result of this impromptu shopping list was that I looked like a child counting on my fingers as I shopped. Goofy as it was, my finger list did work. BUT it also meant that I started pushing my cart, a large one, with one hand.

And if there is anything that you must remember about me, it is that I am not too coordinated. Clumsy, even.

Thus, it will come as no surprise when I tell you that while counting on one hand and pushing the cart with my other hand I managed to block a produce aisle with my catty-wampus, slightly out-of-control cart.

I knew immediately that I was in the way. Pretty much because I heard the metal clank of my cart bumping another cart head-on. It’s a sound one recognizes even while staring at one’s fingers and thumb.

I looked up ready to offer an apology when I realized that the woman who I’d inconvenienced was Lilias Folan. As in someone famous. As in someone with a nationally syndicated PBS TV show. As in the woman who is sometimes credited with introducing yoga to the USA.

Yep, that’s who I bashed into in the grocery produce department. Good job, Ms. Bean.

But here’s the thing, Lilias was just standing there with a kind smile on her face waiting for the crazy lady [moi] to get out of her way. She had no where to back up to, so her choice was to be patient OR to get angry. And because she was living her life off the mat as she did on the mat, she chose the former.

Of course, me being me, after I said that I was sorry I tried to explain myself by babbling about fingers and no shopping list and dinner– et cetera, et cetera. And my dithery explanation, I’m happy to report, got Lilias laughing.

This made me feel better about my screw-up and got me thinking that it’s time for me to get back into yoga because I want to be that older woman with perfect posture, a calm aura & the ability to laugh when things go wrong.

And who better to emulate than Lilias? The bumpee in my ~~brush~~ bump with greatness.

It is drab outside. Dark brown, gray, rust with hints of dingy green. My light-sensitive eyes enjoy not squinting, but my spirit longs for sunlight, growth, something new.

***

Fresh flowers. Citrus fruit. Coffee. These are the items that keep me whole during these last few weeks of winter gloom.

***

Raining and bleak outside. Late afternoon. I stop at our local grocery hoping to grab a few essentials. The place is crowded with shoppers who, to put it politely, are very focused on their objectives. Chaos. Unhappiness.

Waiting three deep in front of the milk case I notice an older woman who is completely relaxed in the middle of this madness. She radiates health, calm– and has excellent posture.

Intrigued, I look more closely and realize who it is. Lilias Folan. Of PBS yoga fame. I quietly congratulate myself for paying attention– and stand up straighter. Stomach in, shoulders back. Move forward with grace.

***

I buy a bright yellow and green pillar candle. At home I put the candle on a plate and set it on the granite counter in the kitchen. I light the candle and the reflection of the flame on the counter gives me hope. There is Spring in our kitchen. For now. I feel better.

***

Weekend plans keep me focused on doing. As much as I want to, I can’t sit and stare out the window at nothing. I must prepare. Get ready.

***

Purple. Orange. Yellow. Pansies planted in the fall. Which colors will survive the winter? Every year it is different. I wait to see. Curiosity replaces ennui.

***

The dark green stems of the daffodils are shooting up in the backyard. Cheery yellow. A bit of orange. Color is on its way. I am revived.