Comfort

Pillow
I place my pillow in the perfect spot under my head and sink into its softness. My pillow is a nightly source of comfort. It is a trusted friend that hears my bedtime whispers as I say goodnight to my husband and quietly say a prayer of gratitude for the day.

Ever since I went through a period of insomnia, I now take my pillow with me whenever I travel. I will often leave out an extra pair of pants or shoes just to fit it in my suitcase. In a strange room and an unfamiliar bed, my pillow comforts me with its familiarity, holding the scent of my skin and the secret language of my dreams deep within its foam.

Every day, as I make my bed, I take a moment to fluff up my pillow and smooth out the pillowcase. I pay attention to take care of what is taking care of me, and in that exchange there is a quiet feeling of comfort.

Cultivating Comfort
Allow yourself to feel the comfort being offered to you through everyday objects, like your pillow, your coffee mug, or your hairbrush.  What simple and ordinary things give you comfort in your daily life? Can you take notice of them and recognize the comfort they are providing to you?

–excerpt from Comfort and Joy: Simple Ways to Care for Ourselves and Others, forthcoming from Conari Press, May 2008