Lucid Living

You are likely familiar with the term "lucid dreaming". It's when we are in a dream state and realize that we are dreaming. Lucid dreaming enables us to move and change the direction of our dream in the moment.

And we can do the same in life. Lucid living.

What if you could, in the moment, be the witness to your thoughts, emotions, reactions? What if you could be the observer to each moment of your life, pause and then let it go?

Yesterday, I was in the UPS kiosk inside my local Staples. Staples is a triggering place for me. While I love office supplies, I find this particular staff to be somewhat... unhelpful. Yes, I have baggage about Staples.

I feel a bit of pressure because I need to return the snowboarding boots ($200+) that I bought for my son because they don't fit. (DAMN) I found a new pair over the weekend (phew! but also another $200+ = DAMN). $400+ in the hole, I feel the need to return asap and bring that money back into my account.

My home printer is on the fritz (ugh), so I need to print the label out at the Staples copy machine (convenient). Problem is? I can't get it to print. I wait in line, ask for help, I am given a glossy slick to read and implement (do it on your own, lady). I am told to go outside to get my phone to load (that's not the problem).

I can feel myself getting annoyed, angry and angrier. This "convenient" stop has already taken 25 minutes of my life and IT'S NOT WORKING.

So I go outside. I breathe in the crisp air. "This is happening," I tell myself. "Just keep breathing. You are pissed. OK. That happens. What do you need?"

I needed another five more breaths. I needed to close my eyes. 

Then, I went back inside. I go to a different associate for help. She helps.
More machine finagling. It works.
Now I feel a bit of tail between my legs. Slightly ashamed that I was so annoyed.
(What should I say when I reach the counter? Third time's a charm? Sorry I'm so pissed?)
​
I walked to the counter. Smiled. "Thank you!".

All those thoughts, the struggle, the realization, the moving forward. We make it so hard on ourselves sometimes, don't we? Everything doesn't have to get stuck along the way. We can actually return to the breath, drop out of the storyline, keep moving, keep living this fantastic life. We can do that thing that we are reminded of in yoga class - we can connect with the observer. We can witness it all and let it all go.

I left the counter and smiled to myself. I went for a walk. I didn't ruminate on what I should have done, should have said, on how I should have acted. Life is life and we are here to live it and let it go.

​Stay open, people.  We can do this thing!

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