Sweating the Small Stuff

August 22, 2020.

By: Patty L. Fletcher

Website:  https://www.amazon.com/Patty-L.-Fletcher/e/B00Q9I7RWG

We’ve all heard it, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” We all know it, and we try hard as we can not to worry about things far out of our control. But, sometimes, when it all gets too much, sweating the small stuff is exactly what we should do.

Earlier today, after I’d had my morning prayer, done all my necessary routines, tended all the things needing tending, I began to feel a bit of panic. No matter how hard I tried, no matter what I did, it seemed the walls were closing in around me.

Thoughts of a friend’s sickness, bills owed, for which I’ve no money to pay, of family and dear friends lost, and how I could seem to do nothing for any of it all crowded into my head and suddenly, I had to get out!

I laced up my shoes, leashed up my dog, pocketed a bag and my phone, masked up, and grabbed my cane, then, we flew out the door.

Thankfully, Campbell had energy needing spent because I knew I must walk. First, we walked round the yard a couple of times. Then, still feeling as if I might simply explode from all life’s pressures pushing against me, we opened the gate and pounded off down the walk.

We walked to the corner bus stop and back to our house, but that wasn’t enough. No, we still had energy to burn.

Did Campbell feel my anxiety, or did he have a head of steam of his own? I didn’t know and didn’t care. I only knew I still felt as if the whole world was crashing round me and so without a glance back, we kept going.

When Campbell stopped to sniff, I took a moment to breathe deeply and listen to the birdsong in the trees and enjoyed the feel of the wind rushing through my sweat dampened hair and over my tear streaked cheeks.

At one spot along our way we came upon a yard with a softly flowing fountain and I stopped to listen to its soothing sound. I could feel Campbell tugging his leash. Wishing he could go into the yard and play in the water, and for a moment I was overcome with the sadness of realizing very few of my dreams for he and I had come true.

All his lifetime with me I’d wanted a yard in which he could run loose and play. A yard where I could install a small kiddy pool or fountain for him to enjoy. I’d had dreams of so many things over the years which hadn’t come true and now here we were in the golden years of his life and I suddenly felt so worthless I could hardly stand to be.

But, as we kept walking and his tail wagged happily against my leg, I realized that Campbell was happy just being with me and all at once that was enough.

As the wind blew and the birds sang, I decided to cast my cares off and to just be there with him in his moment of joy.

I could do nothing about that which was wrong in my life but by the Gods I could enjoy what was right.

I knelt there on the walk and throwing my arm round my big dog I sang…

“You are my Bubba, my great big Bubba.

You make me happy every-day.

You’ll never know, how much I love you, but in my heart you always will stay.

And together you and I will work and play.”

Giving a snort and toss of his head, he licked my face and wagged his tail, I stood and together we made our way back home.

He was tired out when we got to the porch and staggered a bit as we went up the two steps to the door. Once again, I was reminded of his age, of how much time had passed, and how fragile life can be.

Now, as I sit here listening to his snoring, I know that somehow, some way, everything will be OK. Is OK. And I’m glad.

The walk did us good. My access energy is spent, and I believe I can go on with the rest of the day.

I refuse to focus on my friend’s sickness and instead I see her well. I refuse to focus on that which I don’t have and demand instead to have more of what I do.

I know that I and those I love are in the palm of the creator and though fear gnaws round the edges of my belief I hold fast to the fact that…

There is no part of my body which does not belong to the Goddess.

There is no part of my life which does not belong to the Goddess.

I am she, and she is me.

We are one, yet we are we.

My friend will be well.

The power bill will be paid.

The internet bill will be paid.

I will find the funds for all the rest I need, and even a few things I want and desire, and I know that this is so.

If the creator can care for the birds in the trees, and all the other creatures of the earth then so are all things cared for.

I thank you for the sun.

Thank you now day’s begun, all my needs, wants and desires they’re met.

I thank you for that which I have and for that which I have not yet.

I thank you when day is through, I will still be me, and you will still be you.

Light my path.

Guide my way.

Give me that which to do and say.

So! Mote! It! Be!

Blessid Be!

Amen!

I believe and it is so!

SPONSOR…

The story you’ve just enjoyed is sponsored by…

Phyllis Staton Campbell author of,

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Where Sheep May Safely Graze

2020, Goin’ Home, Sequel to Where Sheep May Safely Graze

A Place To Belong Re-release

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FRIENDSHIPS IN THE DARK, 1996 Reprint 1997

The Evil Men Do 2006, true crime, written under contract for the family of the victim.

Who Will hear Them Cry, April, 2012

Out of the Night February, 2014

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