catalyst

“We might have to… you know… let her go.” The Muse of Determination drummed her fingers on studio’s tabletop. “It’s twenty til ten!”

“Let who go?” asked the Muse of Many Questions. “Thalia or Typist?”

“Typist! She has no focus. We’re supposed to be writing — working on a book! And she’s dusting, vacuuming, and washing floors.” A cloud of exasperation hung over Nia’s head.

Thalia pirouetted into the room. “Why so glum?”

“Nia wants to fire Typist,” Cal replied.

“Hold on! Pause. Everybody take a deep breath… Now let it out. What’s this all about?”

Cal explained, “Yesterday Typist had a lot spinning around in her head —”

“That was me!” said Tal. “Sorry — I didn’t mean to cut you off.”

“Forgiven.” Cal began again. “So instead of ruminating she started cleaning. She got out the broom, polishing spray, and toilet brush. Typist knows herself well enough to recognize the simple art of tidying up brings her almost as much joy as a two-scoop butter pecan ice cream cone. And! Cleaning gets her… us?… out of her head.”

“Ahhh… and since she’s hosting a Thanksgiving Day feast, cleaning is also responsible? Making a pleasing space for her guests?” asked Thalia. “Nobody wants Henny hair in their cranberry sauce!”

Nia’s hands now rested quietly in her lap. “I do love order. Do you think we can help her clean and do some writing today?”

“Of course!” Cal fetched a broom from the closet and handed Nia the dustpan.

When the body is cleansed, the mind purified and the senses controlled, joyful awareness, needed to realize the inner self, also comes.
~Yoga Sutras