Refueling the Mood

Friday: January 22nd

I am currently sitting in our room listening to Yen, Chrisian and Li jamming downstairs. Christian playing guitar, Yen on the drums and Li playing the medlodica. Listening to a child improv on an instrument is unlike anything else. This is the perfect writing space. Thanks to Alley our room has rainbow christmas lights which makes this space such a cozy corner of the house.

Today was all over the place but lovely. I woke up this morning in a bit of a funk. Though I am so glad we came to volunteer here this is a huge adjustment. Only a few weeks ago Christian and I were living in a spacious one bedroom apartment in downtown Portland, Oregon. We now live in a seventy square foot room in an old farm house with seven other people in rural Indiana. We do not have a closet, shelves or drawers in our room and everyone shares the same bathroom. I knew stretching would be my answer today. Before I interacted with anyone I retreated to the hobbit hole to stretch out my mental and physical tension. When I did make my way to the kitchen to make tea Yen expressed that she was also in a weird mood after being up all night. Christian and I went upstairs to clean up the room a bit. I began crying and wasn't sure why. I had a strong it was due to the massive am mount of change happening in our lives. The change is not bad or good it is all different from what I expected. Before we knew it Li was knocking on our door telling us it was time for breakfast.

Tim and Brian went outside to start working with the excavator while the rest of us cleaned up breakfast. It was snowing again which made things difficult for the massive machine. They decided that it would be impossible to work outside so they were going to take the day off and rest. We decided to have a chill day for art and resting! Typically we get two days off a week which we can choose however we please but we decided it would be fun if everyone took one off together.
The day consisted of painting, making beads with Sculpie, movies, pasta and refueling my mood. It was nice to have a relaxing day to hang out with everyone.

Crying this morning may have been exactly what I needed, even more than stretching or journaling. I have noticed time and time again that crying is sometimes the best release. It is a physical reaction to stress, sadness, or negative tension in the body. Being able to recognize our emotions and realize what we need to cope is extremely important especially in times of change. I now feel happy, excited and actually had a ton of energy throughout the entire day. Thank you tears, you have saved the day again.

To Brownyn: I miss you and think about you almost everyday. I loved sharing my Sculpie with everyone the way you always shared with me! I hope school is going well and I cannot wait to talk or skype with you soon! LOVE YOU!!!