Have you heard the saying “Red sky at morning is a sailors warning?”

Beautiful, right? But what it does, at  least for me, is to make me check the weather forecast. Today, unfortunately, it means we’ll have ice. Lots of ice. Making travel quite treacherous, and cancelling a lot of well laid plans.

So what’s next? We check our resources, and make sure that we have what it takes to be inside our homes for the next little while. Food, toiletries, books, movies. All set.

But what of those who do not have the resources we have? What we prepare for, for our comfort, they must prepare for, for survival. No doubt, the shelters are preparing as well, in mass.

Fortunately, the town that we live near, has well planned out spaces for just such circumstances. Not only paid staff, but volunteers that give of their time and talents and hearts to make sure that these folks are safe throughout these times.

What do you do when stormy times are approaching? 

Now to switch it up just a bit – What about “Reg flags” in the morning?

When you wake up in the morning on “The wrong side of the bed”, when you are getting out of bed and just want to crawl back in? When you still feel tired, or when your mind will not focus. When the noises your body make sounds like bubble wrap?

What are the resources you use to get your day into order? Can you do it?

For me, coffee is always the first place I go. That first cup of coffee is like starter fluid. But even with starter fluid, the day can be rough. So what’s next? I have a couple of ideas that help, when I do them!

Both have to do with “Quietude”. A cup of coffee and a peaceful place to sit. (I do have a chair for that.) No words. Quiet music, but no words. If there are words, my brain latches on to them, and away I go. Not quiet.

Now, this quiet time might be ten minutes, or it could be an hour. That all depends. When I’m ready for words, I’ll take out my Bible, and read a chapter, or two. More than that, and too many thoughts start going around in my mind. Not quiet. But out of that chapter or two, I’ll have a sense of something to focus on for the day. Many times that will get written down in my journal.

Daily devotionals, journaling, morning pages; seem to have a calming effect, and are often very helpful.

Let’s face it though, sometimes that “Red sky” or those “Red flags” are pesky and want to stick around. And you know what I’ve found? That is OK. Sometimes we just have to lay low, and care for ourselves in a different way.

For example, yesterday, I did all the things. The starter fluid. The “Quietude”, the Bible reading, the journaling. I ended up having to just do my list of work around the house, and not turn on any (Well not much) media at all. A little book reading and a really good nap in the afternoon. A much needed disconnect.

Today seems much better. What about your “Red skies” or “Red flags”? Share with us – what resources can you volunteer?