March 16, 2016 l Jen Hartnett-Orser
Do you ever have something that keeps happening over, and over, and OVER again….but you don’t pay attention to it?
This has been happening to me lately, by way of something really silly, and seemingly
insignificant…Â
THIS silly little message….AND yes, yes...before you say it, I know that KCups are the devil and are bad for the environment etc…..(I DO grind my own beans and use a French Press whenever I can!)      but I digress… so before I can brew my coffee, I have to add water, and wait for it to prime.   It seemed that this was happening to me EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I went to use the machine (and this was happening at work, AND  at home)   so...I started to get frustrated….and each time it happened, I felt as though I was somehow being targeted by the universe….and that this wasn’t happening to anyone else...which also meant, no one else was making the effort to fill the water reservoir...and the incredible inconvenience and burden of this damn error message was all falling on me.    Â
This probably happened a dozen times over a period of maybe 3 weeks….so in other words,  A LOT!  And yes….I eventually went into ‘poor me/victim mode’ over it.   I know, I know…it’s just a coffee maker...but it was really starting to grind my gears.  Each time it happened, I would begrudgingly fill it back up…but not all the way to the top….OH NOOOOO…. just enough for my cuppa, and maybe 1 or 2 more...I figured, let someone else do the job…I was feeling bitter and put upon. Â
Am I being overdramatic?    Wait….have you met me?   LOL   ok….so onward….
Then….the very next time I went for coffee, lo and behold, there it was again…..NOT READY…ADD WATER.  <did I mention the light flashes too!??!>    And I started to inwardly scream….and stamp my feet….and then, all of a sudden,  it finally dawned on me.... I’M running on empty...I have been burning the candle at both ends for quite some time now...and it’s catching up with me. Â
Now,   I know I’m supposed to be all yogically enlightened and shiz, and always be on the lookout for ‘signs’ from the universe…and if this wasn’t one, then I don’t know what is!   I began to laugh…..quietly at first, and then right out loud...all by myself upstairs at work… until I’m sure everyone downstairs thought I’d gone crazy.  Â
You see...I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told others to practice self care, to invest time in themselves, and to listen to their intuition.   I’ve used the words ‘fill up your cup’ a million times...  Not only that...how many times have I committed to ‘be of service’ to others?   And here I was, short changing myself AND others around me ...by something as simple as not filling up the coffeemaker.   Not to mention, sitting in a place of self pity.  Uggggggghhhhhhh…isn’t it just the worst when you don’t take your own advice!?!?
I promptly filled the coffee maker ALL THE WAY up...right to the brim.  Then I went home, and ran a bath, put a treatment in my hair, and watched some silly sitcoms.   From then on in...I haven't seen the dreaded warning again.  AND...I’m keen to notice whenever the coffee maker  tank appears to be getting low....and I proactively top it up. I’m doing a better job with MY cup lately too.    I’m still busy...running to and fro, but I am making more of an effort these days.  Taking time to take care of me...so that that the warning light doesn’t start flashing in my heart.
                                                                                                                                                                                 I’ve also included photo evidence of my progress…..pictured below:  Fresh pedi, delightfully scented epsom salts (Lavender, Cedarwood, Bergamot, and a dash of Frankincense) Homemade body wash (Wild Orange and Clary Sage)  nontoxic face cleanser, and a cup of Chai tea. Â
And my service is to continue this work…to practice what I’ve been preaching. To keep my cup filled up.  To notice how it feels to be rested, rejuvenated, and pampered instead of depleted, frazzled and spent.    And also, to listen more closely…to watch for the signs and pay attention to them…
So tell me… what is UP with YOUR cup?   Is it overflowing, or does it feel like there’s a crack in the bottom?   What have you been doing, or neglecting to do?   What is your go-to strategy for replenishing yourself?
Looking Forward,
J~