A Year of Sundays: The 26th & 27th Sunday (6/29 & 7/6/25) – When EXTRA Becomes the New Normal

The last two weeks have felt like an avalanche—issues at work, unexpected disruptions, emotional turbulence. In one word? EXTRA. The kind of “extra” that blurs the lines between what is manageable and what is just too much.

In Stephen King’s 11/22/63, the protagonist refers to “interesting” as a kind of euphemism for EXTRAORDINARY, and not always in a good way. It is a perfect metaphor for what I have been living: days filled with news that is too loud, responsibilities too heavy, and emotions too layered to unravel. Everything has felt heightened—intensified—and it has taken all of me to stay afloat.

My daughter, sweet soul that she is, has been gently urging me to go outside, to plant my feet in the soil, to feel the sun. But this week, the only place that felt safe was inside—inside my house and inside myself. The world outside felt like too much.

And then I returned to one of my sacred texts—Ram Dass’s How Can I Help?. His words were like a salve on my weary spirit.

"Compassion begins with ourselves. When we are overwhelmed, the most generous act may be simply to sit quietly and breathe." (Dass & Gorman, 1985, p. 98)

So I did. I sat. I breathed. I returned to my affirmations like they were lifelines. I whispered to myself that I am allowed to be overwhelmed and still be worthy of peace. That I can sit in the mess and still be anchored.

This week reminded me—and I hope it reminds you—that we all need an anchor when extra becomes the norm. Whether that is a daily walk, a meditation, a prayer, or a simple deep breath, do not let go of it. Let it hold you until the tide recedes.

Reflection Prompt: What is your anchor when life becomes extra? How can you return to it this week without guilt or apology?

References Dass, R., & Gorman, P. (1985). How can I help? Stories and reflections on service. Knopf. King, S. (2011). 11/22/63: A novel. Scribner.