Clearing thoughts

My thoughts got uncrowded this week. On Monday I attended an hour-long information session for mediators considering serving at the Oso mudslide disaster. Pairs of mediators will be knocking on doors of people in the area to see what they might still need. Many services are available, but some residents might not know about them. The situation was described as "fluid" and "a pilot". I signed up for the required two-day crisis counseling training, but within two hours I emailed the office to say I had decided, with regret, to pass up the opportunity. Instead, I said, I'd be available to work in the office to replace the staff members who were participating in the Oso project. I've heard from the office that they do want me to help.

It's interesting how that came to pass. I'm currently taking a MOOC (massive open online class) on Practical Ethics. During a discussion on our moral responsibility to help the poor, a speaker talked about how best to give. He advised a young finance major, for example, to consider whether it would be more useful for him to join a nonprofit and work in the field for that agency, or whether getting a higher-paying job and then donating a chunk of money might be more productive from the giving perspective. "Anyone can work in the field, but not everyone can make very, very good money and donate a lot of it."

I applied that idea to my current decision. I decided that other mediators can go to Oso, but only I can be Art's wife as he goes through his medical testing. I felt better immediately - always a sure sign I've made a decision in alignment with my values. And I went with Art to two appointments this past week, and will go to two more in the next few days. In between times, I may be at the dispute resolution center in some capacity.

I used the same line of thinking this weekend. I wanted to attend a membership class at my church that's offered two or three times a year. I was also invited to the Greek Orthodox baptism of my neighbors' baby, Elsa. I decided late last night to go to the baptism. I knew I would miss the class. But I figured that little baby will only be baptized once, it was important to the family that I attend, and I can go to the next membership class at my own church. In the big picture, it's above love and community, and today it was about Elsa. That decision felt good too.

My sister and her husband leave Anchorage tomorrow in their motorhome. She and I have talked about house rules for the period they're living in our back yard. Seems like "neighbors sharing a plot of land" is a good starting point, but we listed some other guidelines. Alyx and I are both verbal and active and tend toward intensity (!), so it's important for us to make some agreements ahead of time rather than hoping things will just work out.  

On a lighter note, I decided spontaneously on Thursday to participate with a group in a "no sugar May".  It's not a diet. I can eat anything I want as long as it has no sugar. Turns out that is quite an order! My customary morning mocha without sugar is a cup of coffee, and I can make that at home for cheaper. For a day or two I was annoyed with the idea, but my body is happier now. And my shopper, Art, has brought home vegetables and salad ingredients and cooked me a pot of black beans. I'm at the end of day four and still okay. I apply the "one day at a time" mantra to this project. Instead of stewing over the excess weight, I got presented with a "not a diet"eating opportunity. Sounds good to me!