Part I: Reflection & Poem
Whew. I’m in the messy middle of this e-newsletter endeavor, trying to find a posting schedule that feels natural and leaves room for some solid reflections that can empower you on your journeys. In that realm, I have decided that, instead of trying to squeeze water from a rock some weeks in order to get it out on Sunday, I will get it out on a day during the week. A day.
Yeah, that’s ambiguous, and yet it feels more natural. That’s what I want this space to be - a natural, organic space in the midst of the internet world to take a rest, take a read, and take some time to reflect. It’s a gift I have given myself lately, being in the messy middle of many projects. Sorting through what life is life without working full-time or, really, at all, in any real job. Oy. It’s a mess to my heart, soul, mind, and body. So, I create these in an attempt to keep my mind active, to build my writing momentum for a book I hope to have out by the holidays.
Busy can be something that is almost worshiped by folks sometimes, myself not excluded from that, and yet sometimes it is the water in the middle of the desert that quenches us when we miss the days we had a place to be. And that’s your glimpse behind these scenes! If you like what you read, and getting it on a day during the week, then please do pass it along! There’s handy-dandy buttons at the end to do so. If you use any of it, please give due credit. If you have thoughts and comments, please do share! And, as always - may you be healthy, be safe, feel whole, and be well.
Messy Middles
By Amber Brown
Wouldn’t it be nice to miss out on the messy middle of things?
And yet...
If I miss me the middle of a sandwich
Then I’d be missing the peanut butter and jelly, the meat and cheese of it all
If I miss the middle of a play,
I’d never understand the ending at all
It’d be a simple beginning-end and that’s not how life works
If I miss the middle of a hug or a nap or a cuppa tea, I’d miss the best part!
Middles can be messy
Sometimes I’d rather miss out on them!
They can feel like anything but the best when we’re working on a project or paperwork
Job applications or anything that feels like tough stuff
Can you lead you to scream, and tear out your hear and say “ENOUGH!”
Ideas strewn about, hair in a messy bun with an old scrunchie
Scrunched up piles of paper littered at your feet
Middles can be anything but neat
They can be the best if we’re reading a beautiful story, or enjoying a life well-lived
But when in the midst of the hard
Middles can be messy
Yet, messes can be beautiful, messes can be lessons
In what we do and don’t want
The learning all happens in the middle sometimes, before the debrief
May every beginning encourage you be present
May every middle encourage you to find the goodness in the mess
Unless it really sucks, then I wish you the strength to get through
I encourage you to take some sabbath rest
I encourage you to take your deep breaths
And wade through the murky waters of the mucky messy middle
May you believe in you and your ability to get through
The mucky, messy middle of things
Part 2: Reflection Questions:
What is your favorite middle to enjoy? Jot down a few of your favorite things to enjoy the middle of - like a Boston Creme Donut! Or something else. Anything you enjoy, really. Take some time to recenter at the end of your reflection with a few deep inhales and exhales.
What are messy middles you avoid? How does it serve you to avoid them? How does it hurt you to avoid them? Then recenter at the end of your reflection with a few deep inhales and exhales, and come back to the present knowing you took time to reflect and journal.
How do you hurdle yourself through messy middles of projects? What motivates you? What is a new thing you could try? Take some time to recenter at the end of your reflection with a few deep inhales and exhales - give yourself a hug.
Take some post-its or any medium (crayon on paper, watercolor, marker, charcoal) that helps you, and create some words of affirmation and inspiration for when you’re in the messy middle of something. Save it somewhere, or hang it somewhere you can see it when you need it. Spend some time at the end of your practice taking a few deep breaths.
Take a nature walk or a walk around your neighborhood. Notice things that are in their own messy middle. Find a leaf you like. Take in the smells around you. Find a spot outside to sit and do your final few breaths, if that is comfortable and serves you this week.
What are things throughout the course of your life that you have been grateful to get through the messy middle of? What would you tell your younger self if you were able to about getting through tough times? Take some time to reflect on it. End your practice with some deep breaths - inhales and exhales, and give yourself a hug if you’d like.
On this last day, take time to just be. Pray or meditate or sit and focus on your breath - in and out. Do this for a few minutes or as long as it serves you to do so. At the end of it say something meaningful...for example...I am present, or I am love, I am enough or I am more than my labels. Take a few more deep breaths. Come back to the present and give yourself a hug - celebrate your wins this week! You are amazing, indeed.
Mindfully,
Amber Brown