I woke up this morning disoriented. Yesterday was a beautiful grey, drizzly day that made our verdant grass and budding trees look so much more vibrant. When God paints grey skies and blends that with spring green grass, the masterpiece is breathtaking. The Mister was home, rain day for lawn care. So, I woke at the foot of our bed, snuggled next to Miss Bentley, with morning sun filtering through the lace curtains, confused. “Isn’t it Sunday?,” I mused. No. Just Friday.

During sunrise yoga, I heard him boiling water and slicing lemons. What? He’s making our usual morning warm lemon water. But I always do that. It’s routine. How did I forget? Disoriented. After the last sun salutation, wide legged forward fold, and mountain pose, I stepped from the mat to the chair, ready to read about mountains.

My current morning reading is Kristen Welch’s Made to Move Mountains. Want to be challenged, inspired, moved, encouraged? Read this book. Kristen is the founder of Mercy House Global, a fair trade nonprofit that empowers women globally. I read all about not giving up, courage, and companionship this morning. I love Kristen’s thoughts that “there is likely going to come a day when you want to quit….when that day arrives, you have to stand on the mountain of your mess and remember that quitting isn’t the solution–but surrendering is.” My half awake, confused brain is trying to process this while I sip my honeyed lemon water, and you know, I kind of just wanted to give up, snuggle down into my handwoven blanket, and escape my mountain.

There’s this personal self-care rule that I keep for myself–no hard before the holy, meaning no email, news, or social media before physical and spiritual nourishment. After pondering all this good, good mountain-climbing advice while sipping my matcha berry smoothie, I glanced at social media long enough to see a challenge to get up and get dressed from a lady who has been climbing mountain after mountain. Lily’s sweet music teacher has faced frightening health battles; she could understandably stay in her pajamas all day and rest. But, no, this mountain climber got up, put on her jeans, did her hair and makeup, and posted a challenge for others to do the same.

We’re quarantining at home. All day. All week. All month. Who would know–or care–if I put on leggings or even just stayed in my pajamas? I would. And if I can’t take care of myself, I’m unable to adequately care for anyone else.

Caring for and respecting yourself isn’t selfish.

I headed back to the bedroom, determined this time instead of disoriented. I tugged on a pair of jeans, chose a pretty floral top, a mustard yellow cardigan, a necklace from Amazima, and did my hair in something besides a loose ponytail or top knot. It’s incredible how motivating the simple act of getting dressed can be. I didn’t stop there. I walked into the bathroom, washed my face, applied makeup, and perfume.

All for going outside to get dirty and sweaty. My plan for the day was to plant some seeds in a starter flat. Sweat erased the makeup, dirt clung to my jeans, Lily-girl soaked me with the water hose, but I got dressed and started facing and climbing one of my mountains. Just like I’d equip myself for a mountain hike, I equipped myself by preparing for my day. I got dressed.

The seeds are planted. A couple rows in the garden hoed and planted. Flowers planted. Herbs planted. Lily and I splashed and laughed. After planting and playing, we started laundry, made sweet tea, and Joanna Gaines’ chocolate chip cookies.

I’m dressed. I don’t want to snuggle down and escape reality. I’m ready to climb. There’s a big mountain and an even bigger God. I’m not to the top yet, but the perspective and view from where I climbed today looks a little bit of divine.

Kristen closed the chapter this morning with this quote from Mary Anne Radmacher: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying (whispering), I will try again tomorrow.” And tomorrow, I’m going to get dressed again. I’m going to climb a bit higher.