Daily Step – What worries do you need to let go of today?

Have you had any quarantine impulse buys?

Overall, I’ve been good. Despite being stuck at home and seeing 100 ways my house could be improved by this piece of furniture or that artwork, I have controlled myself…

Except for these toothbrushes.

I bought my sons these two weeks ago – a quarantine impulse buy at its finest. They are super elaborate electronic toothbrushes. They have animal head covers and colorful bodies. They have matching cups and a two minute sand timer. When I saw them, I felt for sure they would solve all our brushing issues. So, I pressed order and waited patiently for the two-day (more like 5 day) target delivery.

While I waited, however, reality sunk in fast. Did I really just spend $20 on a toothbrush gimic? How long til they drop the battery operated device into a sink full of water and fry the mechanism? Or leave them discarded on the germ-y bathroom floor as they have been known to do with other toothbrushes. These things are big, how will I fit three of them on their tiny sink? Before the package finally arrived, I had already convinced myself this was a stupid waste of money.

But then, they arrived. And I’ve never seen three little boys more excited about a toothbrush. They couldn’t wait for us to set them up. And they’ve been requesting to brush their teeth multiple times a day ever since.

And, guess what? They do fit on the sink. And guess what? They haven’t fried them yet by dropping them in water and they’ve been pretty good at placing them back in their holders.

Tuesday is the new Monday this week. My sons are already peaking their heads out the door and I’ve got more than a few things to balance today. I have to admit, I’m already doubting how this day is gonna go and letting the doubts and concerns creep in.

So I’m trying to remember the toothbrushes this morning as a reminder to let go of the worry… after all, worry takes more than it gives.

“I worried a lot… Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven, can I do better? … Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing. And gave it up. And took my old body and went out into the morning, and sang.” (Mary Oliver)