Why I Wear Yoga Pants

As I type this, I'm wearing yoga pants. That's right. I'm wearing yoga pants.

I'm not immodest. (Everything that needs to be covered is covered.)

I'm not lazy. (Even on a Saturday morning, I still put thought into what I would wear today.)

I'm not unfashionable. (At least, I sure get a lot of compliments on my fashion choices.)

And I'm not giving in to current fashion trends. (I'm hipster like that. Or not. I don't know.)

I'm not trying to make a statement. (Ok, sometimes I wear graphic tees to make a statement. But my yoga pants - not a statement.)

I do yoga (it's one of the few types of exercise I can do), but I probably won't do yoga today.

So why am I wearing yoga pants today? Because I am in pain. "Normal" pants hurt. They hurt to wear and they hurt to put on. But yoga pants don't hurt. And on a day like today, every little thing I can do to minimize pain counts. So I'm not ashamed of my yoga pants. I have more important things to be concerned about. Things like having lunch with my husband, listening to the birds singing outside my window, and enjoying my Saturday.

My Week: A Poetic Summary

Too much too much
too much that
and too much
another that
then there
then more
then this
then that
and what
and oh I forgot
and but then another
and did you hear about
and then more more more
and it keeps going until I feel like I'm going mad
and I just want to get my head above the water so I can breathe
and then comes Saturday.

Selah.

A Good Day Redefined

I emerged from a pile of blankets and my bed today. This is a good day.

Three days ago, I had to cut my work day short when I suddenly felt sick. How did I--a lupus patient who is accustomed to working despite pain and sickness--know that I was too sick to work? I threw up. I can work through insurmountable pain. I can work when my joints are too stiff to move. I can work when I am so fatigued I can barely stand. But once I throw up, it's over. Three days ago, I threw up eight times. And it was over. Eight times over.

The next day, I stayed in bed under a pile of blankets. My body was too sore to move. My mind was too hazy even to read a novel. Yesterday, I woke up with hopes that I would be able to catch up on some work I missed. I was wrong. And I never strayed too far from the safety of my pile of blankets and bed.

Today, my body is still tired and my mind is still cloudy. (It's taking me much too long to write this short entry.) I am not ready to return to work yet. (Thank goodness it's Saturday!) But today, I emerged from the pile of blankets and bed all by myself. And for a person who can remember a time when this would have been impossible, a day like today doesn't seem so bad. In fact, a day like today is a pretty good day.

To read more like this, check this out.

Autumn Saturday

Fridays nights, I lay on my couch, fatigued from the wear of the work week. Last night was no exception. This wasn't even an exceptionally busy week. But I was exhausted nonetheless.

This morning, I woke up to a slightly chilly, autumn Saturday. I lit candles in my living room and sat cross-legged on my couch with a book and a Bible. I love the start of weekends and I love autumn. I love being able step out of my hectic routine and find moments of solitude and rest. I love being able to sit back and let my mind drift to where it wishes.

So for all of you who have had a busy week and are tired, may you find rest for your body and soul. I hope that you curl up with a blanket and get lost in a good book. Or that you put on a sweater and comfy shoes and go on an adventure. I hope that you have the chance to spend time with someone you love or have a long phone conversation with someone you miss. Or, if like me you are an introvert living an extroverted lifestyle, I hope you finally get a chance to have a moment of solitude. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you wave a wonderful autumn Saturday!


If you would like to read more about solitude, you can read more here, here, here, and here.