Monday, October 13, 2008
When was the last time you took an afternoon off in the middle of the week? Making time to recharge and nurture yourself is every bit as important as the food choices you make and the exercise you get. Our bodies, minds and souls need all three components to be truly healthy, and even more important, to be truly happy. We are human BEINGS, but often our lives become so busy that what we really are is human DOINGS. When every minute of our day becomes a task or action toward the means to an end, we are not present in this beautiful moment, and we miss the miraculousness that is all around us.
Taking time for ourselves, (and that is exactly what I mean ? to take it, claim it and guard it as the precious gift that it is), is critical to our health and well being. I am the pot calling the kettle black, however. They say we teach what we most need to learn, and that certainly is the case here. I have found, though, that over the last couple years, as I have been making more time for ?R&R,? the results have been delightful. My experience is teaching me that the better care I take of myself, the more I have to give to my loved ones, my business and my dreams for the future. Without that down time, my creativity dries up, and all work and no play makes for a very dull life. Our time here is brief at best, and once I began to realize that, it became ever so important to enjoy each and every moment.
It was pointed out to me some time ago that my schedule IS my own, and therefore it is entirely up to me to choose wisely the content of my days. Take charge of your schedule and begin to honor yourself more. It is not virtuous to pack your day so full of doing that you come to the end of it exhausted and drained. It?s all about quality, and if you are running on empty most of the time, I can promise you that you are not very pleasant to be around. Balance is paramount. Work is usually a necessity, so there goes 8-12 hours. Please don?t cut your precious slumber time ... 7-9 hours. That leaves approximately 6-8 hours to juggle family, meals, exercise, time for you to simply ?be? and relaxation. I recognize that this is challenging, and some days we will be more successful than others, but the main thing is that we choose to be conscious and do our best. If you have been pushing extra hard at work, at home, putting everyone else?s needs ahead of your own and have not taken the time to recharge your batteries, it?s a pretty sure bet that you are not happy. Life is simply too short to go very long without being happy. Joy and happiness are two of the main reasons for being.
Give yourself permission to relax and be still even if it is only for a few minutes a day. Schedule into your week at least one 2-4 hour block of time and dedicate it to whatever makes your heart sing. Commit to doing this for one month and just see how much more energy, enthusiasm and joy you regain . It may be startling. I hope so. Happy fitness!
