Strange Bedfellows: Priorities & Obstacles - #12

Establishing a Morning Routine, the class I'm enrolled in, takes place on Zoom. Postage-stamp-sized videos of attendees in rows inadvertently provide entertainment. It's difficult not to track participants as they jump up and down from their chairs, cats as they stroll leisurely across keyboards, or a cockatoo hopping around her owner's shoulders.  

Also entertaining, and difficult not to watch, is watching myself. I remember Nolan's comment that he has better posture after viewing himself on home security video and I understand more what he is talking about.

Last week I mentioned that thinking of the word priority as singular was a help. Here's what I'm thinking:

If this class is truly a priority, I would sign on while sitting in a room by myself. This would mean I could "raise my hand," be unmuted, and interact with Susan as if I was in the same room with her. I did this during class #one. Conversing in real time with a person I consider my teacher felt like an honor. The class seemed more vital and alive. 

I treated the second and third classes as one of several priorities. Yes, class was important and a priority but I also had other priorities: sitting in the living room (with earphones) basking in the Christmas tree lights, feeling in-sync to my reading-a-book partner and being careful to not disturb the peaceful atmosphere were all priorities for me.

Ironically, Susan focused on obstacles in the third class. The first obstacle, laziness, had three components. 

The first component was said to be ordinary. I can understand ordinary laziness - things like not moving out of my bed or chair. Experts say sitting is the new smoking. I struggle daily to have enough movement in my routine. I love to sit and read or sit and write.

The second component was described as being disheartened. It could also be described as a loss of faith.  I feel disheartened about our country and the deep divisions between us, not to mention my disappointment that we don't have a woman president.

The third way to be lazy is by being too busy. This is when we don't remember what is important. This gets us back to priorities.  

In this busy season it may be more important than ever to set a priority or determine what priorities we want to work toward.

Next post I will list my priority for December. Will you tell me what your priority for the rest of December will be?  Short one word answers and longer reflections welcomed. This question is not easy so don't be surprised if it takes you awhile to answer.

Also stay tuned for the paradox of taxidermy!

Thank you for making reading exploring the mystery a priority and not letting obstacles get in the way.   Nicky Mendenhall