Stop everything ...
right now ... yes, right now.....just drop what you are doing (well, okay ...
finish reading this blog first) ... but then stop what you are doing and take
some time for yourself! You are worth
it!! Make yourself a priority. Although many of my blogs have been about
taking action and getting started right away on the items on your bucket list
... I've decided we all need a break today!
Those of you who know
me, know I am a bit of an introvert.
Some may call me shy (and I suppose I am to some extent) but I am
definitely a person who enjoys my alone time.
You see, I have learned from experience, that an important part of
keeping a positive attitude and a healthy mind, is taking time to just let
yourself be you. I have also found that
when I have been "going" and "doing" for too long and I
have been in the throws of stress with all the tasks on my to-do list staring
me down, I tend to be rather hard on myself!
There just isn't enough time in a day to accomplish everything that
needs to be done! (But it is important
to remember that your inbox will eternally
be full...and that is okay.) I have learned that it is important to take
time, often, to just calm your mind (and your body) ... taking time to reflect
... but let it come to you slowly ... first you need to clear your mind. Remember, it is okay to relax -- even God took a day to rest!!
So for today ... set
aside all house work, yard work, and office work and even set aside all bucket
list tasks (as invigorating as they may seem).
Get a babysitter for your kids if you need one (yes, I said that ...
those of you who know me, also know that I am not one to voluntarily leave my
children very often.) Turn off the
television, computer, Ipod and phone ... make yourself a cup of Tension Tamer
tea and draw yourself a hot bath. (If
you want, light some candles like they do in the movies ... but that sounds
like work ... this is supposed to be relaxing.) Now set your mind at ease ... think
of nothing but the warm water and the taste of the tea (assuming you like the
tea ... a glass of wine would be good too).
Let your body fall back into the water ... relax ... breathe slowly and
deeply ... listening to the sound of your breath as it echos in the water. Just lie there ... relax as long as you like
(or longer than you like ... sometimes it may take a while to calmly remind
yourself that doing nothing is truly okay.)
Remember ... you deserve it - let yourself lie there soaking in the
pride of everything you accomplished yesterday and the day before ...
Now go for a long walk
... If you are lucky enough to live in the country, go for a walk in the woods
or a pasture or field ... otherwise, find a nearby trail or just meander around
town if that is the best you can do. Notice
the leaves on the trees ... notice the smell of fresh mowed grass ... follow a
butterfly's flight ... smell the roses (or even the dandelions for that
matter). Sit under the tree in your back
yard. Lay on the ground like you did as
a kid ... notice the clouds as they move over head. Say a prayer. Ponder about the things that are truly
important to you. Tell yourself you are
a great person ... you don't need to give yourself evidence ... just let
yourself believe it.
It doesn't even matter
if the neighbors drive by and see you doing nothing ... they probably won't
even notice (okay, they might give a second glance if you are laying under the
tree) ... but don't worry about them ...
they don't know the things you accomplished yesterday ... they don't know the
secrets that are in your heart ... they don't know the dreams that lie deep in
your soul ... they are not you ... their opinions don't matter ... just enjoy
YOURSELF today!
Now schedule a massage
(the full-body kind) ... do yoga ... eat your favorite food (whatever is your
vice). Now go to your husband ... pick up your kids... or call up a
friend ... sit on the porch or on the deck
... have a cookout ... enjoy some
time with loved ones ... feeling rejuvenated and in tune with the world.
Tomorrow you will be
surprised at what you can accomplish ... you will feel a sense of a new
beginning, a fresh start, a quiet calm
ready to tackle the world. Don't forget
to take time for a walk during the day
or just do nothing on a lunch
break. Although some may feel there is
no time for this, you will find that it will give you a similar sense of
renew each time you return.
Now bring on tomorrow
... we are ready for anything!!
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