THE PROCESS

I have a new tradition. I go grocery shopping on Sundays and bag up the fruits and vegetables for my lunch.

          This started simply about a month ago. Upon my return from the store, I was rushing around kitchen, a pressing anxiety to sort and store overtaking me. At the apex of the full dash a thought struck me: Slow Down. Breathe. Enjoy each moment.

          After stowing the perishables, I pulled out the strainer and paused. I inhaled and held the oxygen for ten seconds before letting it gently leave again. The next hurried impulse was to put on music, to grab my MP3 and speakers or my phone— but I quelled the notion. The five steps and additional electronics wasn’t necessary.

          All I needed was the food, my hands, and some quiet.

          And that is what I do now. I pull the grapes off their stems, one-by-one. I rinse the carrots carefully, immersing myself in the feel of the water. Then I bag everything up in preparation for the week ahead.

          The repetition feels simple, natural. The quiet calms me.

          I find peace in the process.

-         SNG