What will you take into your day?

Before my father left for his store, he would line up what he was taking with him on the dining room table. His daily departing mantra was, “Wallet, comb, handkerchief, keys and change.” That was back when he had hair to comb, when men carried clean cloth handkerchiefs and coins were needed. What will you take into your day?

When I leave in the morning to go to my art gallery, I have my purse, which is large and whose contents I will not describe. I have my lunch and a drink and my iPad. I usually have another bag of something related to the gallery or to a later errand. It is a juggling act to lock the front door. I hope no neighbors are watching. What will you take into your day?

To be practical, your list might start with a cell phone, followed by a credit card and car keys, if you have a car that still requires a key. Next would be a Yeti cup or as my hair stylist calls it, “her emotional support water.” What else will you take into your day?

It is too easy to take into our days things that are too heavy for anyone to carry. Often we do this unconsciously from long-standing habits. We are not fully conscious of the fact that we weigh ourselves down before our day even gets started.

Look at the chart.

Do you find yourself trying to carry some of the things that are outside of this circle? What is difficult for you to put down? Reflecting on this can be a place of growth for you.

Here is what happened to me the other day when I entered my day lighter in body and spirit.

I was waiting in line for my coffee order. I initiated a joke with the person next to me. Soon, we were chatting. I learned his wife was temporarily restricted by a serious injury. We began discussing the restrictions and impediments differently abled people face on a daily basis. Her injuries sensitized them both to these issues for others.

After that person left, I was next to a big burly man with a shaved head and a long, uneven beard. He was not one of my usual conversation partners. He ordered something I was unfamiliar with. My chatter was warmed up, so I asked, “What does that taste like?” He said it was very sweet, like the milk in the bottom of the bowl after he finished his Lucky Charms cereal. I couldn’t help but break into a grin from picturing this dude slurping down Lucky Charms. We exchanged smiles. I left the store feeling ready for whatever the day would bring. 

The farmer, poet, essayist and creation care advocate Wendell Berry wrote a beautiful poem about what he did when things were too heavy for him to carry. He went out in nature. It is one of his most beloved works. Here it is:

If you are an auditory learner or would simply like to hear the poem spoken by the author, here is a beautiful video to watch.

“The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry, A Poetry Film by Charlotte Ager & Katy Wang

What will you take into your day? Whatever it is, I hope it includes “the peace of wild things.”