Claim it...

One Saturday night, not too long ago, I had the chance to go to the grocery store - alone. I walked in with my list, got a cart, put in my earbuds, and queued up Prairie Home Companion on NPR. It happened to be a joke show and I was wildly entertained whilst I shopped. I made sure to be a responsible cart driver and had the sound down low. I shopped and time was irrelevant. I was on autopilot feeling like I had escaped the jungle of mothering for an hour by doing this chore with Garrison Keillor to guide me through the isles.

When I came to the checkout counter I was about to turn off the podcast so I wouldn't be rude to the cashier. I paused. She was busy with the person in front of me. So, I claimed the remaining minute. I leisurely put my groceries on the conveyer belt. I let go of any external rush. I claimed those extra seconds to slowly and deliberately empty my cart. Then I turned to her with a smile as I took out my earbuds.

Often I allow external factors to rush me. Not this Saturday and not this shopping trip. I have tried since this wonderful Saturday evening to stop the rush in my head and to stop hurrying into the frenzied space. I have the gift of time even if it is just a few seconds or a couple of minutes here and there. I can make the choice to drive slower to pick up my children from school. I need these quiet moments to maintain my sense of self. To check in and to see how I am doing, how I am feeling, and what I might be needing. These moments are often all I have, right now, but they are enough if I notice them and claim them.

I am practicing the art of claiming space for myself to inhabit, even for a moment, without the crush of anxiety of checking in with the outside world to see if I am okay. I am okay and so are you. Take a deep breath, claim your moment, and empty your grocery cart. These moments are ours to take, to use, and to allow ourselves the chance to breathe - to be without the crush. It is coming. We know this, but not in this moment, not on this shopping trip.