Wednesday, September 21, 2011

waiting to exhale (not the whitney movie)

i actually felt guilty yesterday for sneaking into the company kitchen for a cup of coffee.

with deadlines piling up and the stack of paper and bills on my desk growing with each passing second, time seemed too precious, too fleeting, to waste waiting in front of the keurig machine, listening for the water to gurgle then pour, the steam rising then disappearing into the arctic, conditioned air.

there hasn't been a night in the past two weeks that i have sunk into bed before eleven. that i haven't hushed pablo when he whined to play ball, as i crunched over my little red desk and pecked away at the keyboard. life has been so hurried, so rushed, so fluid that stopping to take a time out has seemed too luxurious. (on an unrelated note, i'm getting "winter hair"--dry, crunchy lifeless locks. this has been the cause of a bit of my stress as well.)

but this morning is hazy and overcast and drizzly and, i declare, it almost feels like winter, with its gorgeous gloom. and work has, for the sweet split-second moment, given me a breath. a deep, gutteral sigh. a chance to slip away during lunch and sink into an overstuffed chair at the coffee shop downtown. and for a little bit, just a little bit, read a book i want to read instead of a textbook. apply my lipstick slowly and let the foam stay on my lips for a little while. daydream into the gray noon.

because life is furiously fast, but those special moments are golden and delicious and every good thing wrapped into one. and its those reprieves that keep me chugging along, at least until the first good rain or snowfall comes and everyone can finally exhale.

the picture above was taken atop the astoria column in astoria, oregon. one place i took a crazy deep, rib bursting breath last october.

16 comments:

gracelizabeth09 said...

Your writing is always so lovely- and so is the photo. I feel the same way about work and stress right now, we're in the same boat! I hope things slow down a little for the both of us, and that maybe just maybe the package I sent you will help cheer you up :)

Off the Cuff said...

I wrote about a song yesterday where a line in it said, 'take your time...don't live too fast.' It's a bummer we have to remind ourselves to slow down. I hope you take the time to grab a cup of coffee...it will all be there waiting for you when you get back. I love the picture!

McKinley {Haolepinos} said...

This photo is amazing!!!! When I use to work {in cooperate} I too felt the same way! UGH it can be hard!!! I hope that it will slow down soon and you can feel the stress lighten off the weight on your shoulders!

Suz and Allan said...

Hope work slows down soon so you can relax and enjoy yourself a little!

Holli said...

I'm glad you DO take a moment to sit and enjoy life's pleasures.... that's wonderful to hear! Some people never do.

PS. I love Astoria!

Shay said...

That picture is amazing- so glad you have been given a second to breathe!

Tori said...

Sometimes, we always need to just stop. breathe. and smile. Thanks for the reminder. <3

Sam W. said...

i love the way you write!! hoping you find some space for rest and peace very soon :)

Amber said...

i think if more people took the time to relax and breath even for a short moment the world would be a better place.

Blondie's Journal said...

A rainy day can make me slow down, too. The first cold signs of fall and winter. Time just seems to slip by slower and leaves room to take my time. I hope you get many more chances to just breathe!!

XO,
Jane

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

I love that photo! It looks so great!

Gentri said...

First- that photo is gorgeous. Second- I should create an award just for your lovely writing! Seriously, it's the best!

Unknown said...

This post actually made me take a few deep breaths and slow down. Thank you.

PS: Astoria is awesome and so beautiful

Janette said...

Poor little Pablo! I can just imagine him whimpering a bit :-/

Janette the Jongleur

kate said...

this was so beautifully relaxing to read. as you shared of unwinding and finding peace in your foamy cup of coffee with a lipstick stained brim, i found peace in sharing that with you. thank you for your sweet words and relazing charm :)

Erin {pughs' news} said...

This is so beautifully written. I want to sink into a chair like the one you describe, read a book I want to read, and let the foam from my latte sit on my lips for a moment or two...

September has been crazy. And I'm exhausted. And sick now too, with a nasty sinus cold. I need to take it easy and get better, but there's so little time in which to do that!

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