It's enough to make you think

As I sit here, the trees down the street are frosted with snow. The birds are settling into the grey treetops.  Somewhere in my house,  someone’s gently snoring. 

For anybody else, that’s the picture of tranquility; a time to unwind, and simply take a breath. But for me, that quiet space is - always - meant to be filled. Give me a minute, and I know I’ll dwell on it. Give me down time,  and I’ll bear down on it.

There’s a time, and place for a habit like this. But for me, it’s second-cousin to a curse. Obsessing messes with my baking (did I just add a cup or two?) Fretting makes me less care-free (more often than not). It invades the dressing room; a drive to work, and pre-dawn moments. There ought to be a group: Overthinkers Anonymous?

With 12-Steppers, this stuff’s called “stinking thinking”, and these guys sure know what they’re talking about. Overthinking sows unrest. It drives the small doubts. It gnaws at sleep. It’s the thief of  joy.

But, til greater minds than mine find a fix for this habit, I’ll try to give myself a tiny sliver of grace, and do my best to leave a quiet moment alone.  Work will keep; chores will wait. I deserve some down time. It’s okay to take a minute - don’t you think?