Busy.
That seems to be the word I often use to describe my life. My friends and colleagues also use it frequently. I’ll bet you do, too.
Does time alone or time doing nothing seem like a dream to you? An impossible goal amidst all that must be done?
I have a confession. Even though I live alone (with my cat) I find it difficult to let go of ‘doing’. It’s rare that I can simply ‘be’. It seems that as soon as I check something off my “To Do” list, two or three things take its place. In the midst of all this “busy-ness” I know I need to take time to care for myself, but that “To Do” item seems to get pushed further and further down the list to make way for the things that are more important. Why is it so hard to make caring for ourselves a priority?
I recognize that self-care is important so one of my goals this year has been to make time to just ‘be’. I’m working towards that goal with my regular sitting and walking meditation practice. Both types of meditation allow me to clear my mind, and focus on breathing....to focus on just ‘being’.
A change in routine, like travel, can wreak havoc with a regular meditation practice. It takes a great deal of willpower to make sure I take the time and find the right space for meditation during time away from home. I’ve been very fortunate that my professional life has allowed for a great deal of travel. During my first career as a VP at Chase Manhattan Bank and my current career as a Feng Shui Consultant, travel was & is frequently a part of my work. I’ve always made an effort to take some “me” time while I’m away from home for work.
But, here’s my second confession: It’s RARE that I schedule a vacation that is truly a vacation....time away from home without some work to do along the way.
Last week, I felt that pattern shift. I went to visit friends in Delaware. Yes, I planned to help them with Feng Shui for their new house, but we agreed that we would exchange holistic services. This trip was definitely more about having fun and catching up with one another. What a wonderful trip it was! A few days away, just “being” with friends, and caring for my self, fed me in ways I can’t count.
I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. My friends drove me around to see the sights. (I felt like I’d hired a professional tour guide.) I got to spend time with other friends who live in the same area. But, perhaps most importantly, I fell in love with Jack!
This is a milestone because Jack is a dog. I’ve always been a cat person. But this big, Australian Shepherd remembered me (I think) from September 2015 when he participated in a Himalayan Singing Bowl one-on-one with his owner. I don’t know for sure that that’s what happened, but Jack was happy to see me. He snuggled up against my feet wherever I was sitting and even cuddled next to me on the sofa (there are Jack-proof furniture coverings for him!). I was happy to see him, too. I definitely felt our mutual connection!
This time away from home provided me a major opportunity. More important than any professional connection or meeting. ... I let go. I stopped ‘doing’, I just enjoyed ‘being.’
By allowing myself to just ‘be’ I created time and space for a new presence of love to enter my life. This just ‘being’ is a wonderful, peaceful feeling. I highly recommend it. We never know what part of us will want to come forward when given the time and space.
Try taking some time for your own self care. What can you let go of today, and just ‘be’?
That seems to be the word I often use to describe my life. My friends and colleagues also use it frequently. I’ll bet you do, too.
Does time alone or time doing nothing seem like a dream to you? An impossible goal amidst all that must be done?
I have a confession. Even though I live alone (with my cat) I find it difficult to let go of ‘doing’. It’s rare that I can simply ‘be’. It seems that as soon as I check something off my “To Do” list, two or three things take its place. In the midst of all this “busy-ness” I know I need to take time to care for myself, but that “To Do” item seems to get pushed further and further down the list to make way for the things that are more important. Why is it so hard to make caring for ourselves a priority?
I recognize that self-care is important so one of my goals this year has been to make time to just ‘be’. I’m working towards that goal with my regular sitting and walking meditation practice. Both types of meditation allow me to clear my mind, and focus on breathing....to focus on just ‘being’.
A change in routine, like travel, can wreak havoc with a regular meditation practice. It takes a great deal of willpower to make sure I take the time and find the right space for meditation during time away from home. I’ve been very fortunate that my professional life has allowed for a great deal of travel. During my first career as a VP at Chase Manhattan Bank and my current career as a Feng Shui Consultant, travel was & is frequently a part of my work. I’ve always made an effort to take some “me” time while I’m away from home for work.
But, here’s my second confession: It’s RARE that I schedule a vacation that is truly a vacation....time away from home without some work to do along the way.
Last week, I felt that pattern shift. I went to visit friends in Delaware. Yes, I planned to help them with Feng Shui for their new house, but we agreed that we would exchange holistic services. This trip was definitely more about having fun and catching up with one another. What a wonderful trip it was! A few days away, just “being” with friends, and caring for my self, fed me in ways I can’t count.
I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. My friends drove me around to see the sights. (I felt like I’d hired a professional tour guide.) I got to spend time with other friends who live in the same area. But, perhaps most importantly, I fell in love with Jack!
This is a milestone because Jack is a dog. I’ve always been a cat person. But this big, Australian Shepherd remembered me (I think) from September 2015 when he participated in a Himalayan Singing Bowl one-on-one with his owner. I don’t know for sure that that’s what happened, but Jack was happy to see me. He snuggled up against my feet wherever I was sitting and even cuddled next to me on the sofa (there are Jack-proof furniture coverings for him!). I was happy to see him, too. I definitely felt our mutual connection!
This time away from home provided me a major opportunity. More important than any professional connection or meeting. ... I let go. I stopped ‘doing’, I just enjoyed ‘being.’
By allowing myself to just ‘be’ I created time and space for a new presence of love to enter my life. This just ‘being’ is a wonderful, peaceful feeling. I highly recommend it. We never know what part of us will want to come forward when given the time and space.
Try taking some time for your own self care. What can you let go of today, and just ‘be’?
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