This morning, after brewing my coffee, I attentively responded to the gentle nudge of my sweet fur baby, Daisy. It was time to go outside. Still in my pajamas and barefoot, I stepped into the yard with her, ready to throw her favorite frisbee for our regular morning game of fetch.

I chose to stand solidly on the dark, wet, and cold ground. Glancing down at my bare feet, I contemplated their exact place in the world. As I closed my eyes to breathe in, I felt the chill—though not particularly pleasant—surging up the lower part of my legs.

Upon opening my eyes after a series of deep breaths, I noticed that everything remained brown, dirty, and muddy. Honestly, spring is my least favorite season. While I appreciate the emergence of new blooms and the occasional sunny day, my mind associates spring with cold, rainy days and allergies. Already, a patch of eczema is popping up below my lower lip. I find myself yearning for the two extremes: either abundant winter snow or scorching summer days. Yet, here we are, in the season of mud.

Amusingly, as I stepped back inside, still aware of the sensations on the soles of my feet from standing on the cold ground, I opened the “Ten Percent Happier” app on my phone. The first article listed at the top bore the intriguing title, “Don’t Try to Avoid the Mud.” The author astutely observes that as children, we reveled in mud puddles, delighting in their messiness and the joy of splashing. However, as adults, we often shy away from life’s metaphorical mud puddles, seeking comfort and orderliness.

The mindful approach to mud puddles invokes the fearless child within us—the one who isn’t bothered by messiness. So, I ask myself: How am I allowing life’s mud puddles to diminish my sense of well-being? 

On this #sitspotSunday, I encourage you to consider your own metaphorical mud puddles. What are you avoiding to maintain a sense of cleanliness, or order? Connect with your breath, and courageously move through the mud.