Do you ever feel boxed in? Helpless? Paralyzed? Trapped?
When you feel boxed in, what do you do? Does it help to think outside the box? Or is staying in the box more safe and comfortable than venturing outside of it?
Do any of my photos from yesterday make you feel boxed in?
Michael’s meals, if there were ever any left-overs, would make a great box lunch.
Last week, when I was boxed in by many cars on my way to work, I received these messages from fellow boxed-in commuters who were using the traffic app Waze:
Why is traffic always so bad with 1/2 inch of water. Shoot me.
Good morning from hell on earth.
As usual, I felt less boxed in, knowing I was not alone. Hell on earth is not as bad when you have company.
Lately, Michael and I have been doing the box step and other dance steps with each other twice a week, thinking outside the box as we take turns choosing what music to dance to. This was Michael’s outside-the-box choice from last week:
I wish I could write lyrics like that. I may be boxed in by less song-writing experience and talent than Richard Thompson, but I’ll keep trying. That’s the way to get out of whatever box you’re in — keep trying and keep boxing your way out.
Please put your reactions in a comment box, below.
Boxed-up thanks to all who helped me box together today’s boxed-in post and more boxes of thanks — of course! — to YOU.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
I’m eating a “Box” of chocolates at the moment, my cure, for when I’m feeling Boxed In…….
Thanks for sharing your cure, Ivor.
You think outside ofthe box?
I know that you do, Alex.
Your thoughts cannot be contained, Ann.
I cannot contain my appreciation for you, Mark.
I have never heard that song that Michael picked out, Valerie. I really like the lyrics. I thought it was going to be a cover of Amy Winehouse’s Valerie.
Isn’t it interesting how you can do more with music and lyrics then you can with just words, somehow? It is like writing in two languages at once.
With music and a guitar, you can make the most mundane things quirky and lovable, like Lyle Lovitt’s Skinny Legs, which has got to be one of the strangest sweet songs. Everytime I hear it I feel strangely better about the world but I also think, that was weird!
Your words are always wonderful, Maureen, even without music.
Many years ago, our home backed onto a railway line. One evening, coming home from work, the train broke down right outside our house. It was an hour and a half before we got going again. Had it been safe I could have jumped down from the train, nipped across the line, scaled the railings, and been home in no time. I felt boxed in.
I’m glad you got home safely, Derek, and I’m glad whenever you visit here.
An amazing story, Derek!
The pictures you share always feel like they’re widening my world, giving me access to things I wouldn’t otherwise see, but there are times when being boxed in can be good.
Your comments are always good, Chris.
The only dance step I know is the BOX step.
-Alan
That’s a great dance step and a great comment, Alan.
Gave away all those boxes. Love living in these wide-open spaces. Highly recommend it!
Love your comment!
Never heard that Valerie song before. Good choice Michael 😉
Good comment and good taste, Val!
We all can feel boxed in at times which is ok as long as we are not in a box that looks like a coffin
Your comments are ok with me, Joanne.
I can feel boxed in from time to time and that creates anxiety. I do feel sometimes that the “trapped feeling” leaves me wanting to stay in the box until I clearly see the alternatives, then I’ll crawl out! How nice that you and Michael are dancing twice a week! Now that sounds like a wonderful stress reducer! 🙂
Your comments are wonderful stress reducers, Debra!