Sit. Soak. Sour.
It happens to milk left out of the fridge and it happens to people too.
If all I do is sit in a chair, soak up the news, social media rants and talk show ravings, I’ll end up sad and sour.
I don’t want to do that.
So I get outside and soak up the sunshine and fresh air instead.
I know everyone doesn’t have the option to walk for over a mile on their own property but even in the strictest of the locked down states, there are parks, sidewalks and other outdoor spaces you could visit.
Sit on your stoop if you have to.
But just get outside, for goodness sake!
Turn off the screens screaming fearful headlines, walk away from the four walls that feel like they are closing in on you, open a window at least and stick your head out.
If you really, truly can’t manage any outside time or fresh air, grow something.
Remember when you were a kid and mom or grandma cut the tops off carrots and put them in a shallow dish? They will grow fluffy greenery in a few days.
Watching the progress of any living thing is balm to a weary soul.
Even grocery stores sell potted plants or herbs in most places. Buy a few. They’ll improve indoor air quality as well as providing a diversion from worry.
When all a heart thinks about is death, destruction and dire news, it shrinks into a hardened ball.
It becomes increasingly difficult to feel anything but fear or anger or bitterness.
Sour. Dour. Persnickety. Cranky. Grumpy.
That’s not how I want to be and it’s probably not how you want to be either.
So get up. Break the habit of soaking in bad news.
Get some fresh air and sunshine if you can or at least create your own little corner of green.
Refresh your soul and feed it hope.
