In the Still of the Morning
Hey there,
Saturday is here and so are you. Groovy! Let's jump into the blog....
Sometimes it feels like a moment of quiet time is so rare and fleeting. There is so much stimulation and distraction OUT THERE and IN HERE. I mean just because we turn off the Blackberry, tv, radio (ok, nevah!), Wii, iPod, computer....we can't seem to turn off our inner thoughts. This world is full of sound bites, 30 second videos, and endless downloads of everything. The problem is that our brains just keep absorbing everything 24-7. We already have difficulty doing one thing at a time. Multi-taskers are held in high esteem despite scientific studies proving we can't fully focus or function that way.
If you've been running on empty for weeks now and your to-do list seems to keep growing then I have one suggestion. Back away from the tasks and sit down for a minute. Or maybe 5. When was the last time you really read a chapter of a book without having the tv on in the background? Or looked through your family photo album (the old paper one, not the 100's of digital pix you have on your laptop...somewhere!) Or took a long bath without rushing through the moment to get ready to go onto something else.
How many times have you actually shortened the reheat setting on the microwave because it was taking "too long" or skimmed a book because you had to get it back to the library and didn't want to take the time to renew it?
Dang.
Most of us don't value our own time as much as we do for others. So we tend to put ourselves last in our own calendars and agenda books. Giving away valuable hours to tasks that we do out of habit or obligation.
No more Gentle Reader, no more.
TODAY is the day that you put YOURSELF FIRST and plan some quiet time. Just for you. Either to read a book, bake some homemade cookies (I have recipes, we'll talk!), or even just nap. Not to multi-task or race from one errand to the next but to actually be in the moment. BREATHE. Feels good and it is the most beneficial thing you could do for yourself and it doesn't cost a cent! I like my quiet time in the morning before the city wakes up (and kitten Jack!).
Have an amazing Saturday and we'll get together again on Sunday.
Linda
Saturday is here and so are you. Groovy! Let's jump into the blog....
Sometimes it feels like a moment of quiet time is so rare and fleeting. There is so much stimulation and distraction OUT THERE and IN HERE. I mean just because we turn off the Blackberry, tv, radio (ok, nevah!), Wii, iPod, computer....we can't seem to turn off our inner thoughts. This world is full of sound bites, 30 second videos, and endless downloads of everything. The problem is that our brains just keep absorbing everything 24-7. We already have difficulty doing one thing at a time. Multi-taskers are held in high esteem despite scientific studies proving we can't fully focus or function that way.
If you've been running on empty for weeks now and your to-do list seems to keep growing then I have one suggestion. Back away from the tasks and sit down for a minute. Or maybe 5. When was the last time you really read a chapter of a book without having the tv on in the background? Or looked through your family photo album (the old paper one, not the 100's of digital pix you have on your laptop...somewhere!) Or took a long bath without rushing through the moment to get ready to go onto something else.
How many times have you actually shortened the reheat setting on the microwave because it was taking "too long" or skimmed a book because you had to get it back to the library and didn't want to take the time to renew it?
Dang.
Most of us don't value our own time as much as we do for others. So we tend to put ourselves last in our own calendars and agenda books. Giving away valuable hours to tasks that we do out of habit or obligation.
No more Gentle Reader, no more.
TODAY is the day that you put YOURSELF FIRST and plan some quiet time. Just for you. Either to read a book, bake some homemade cookies (I have recipes, we'll talk!), or even just nap. Not to multi-task or race from one errand to the next but to actually be in the moment. BREATHE. Feels good and it is the most beneficial thing you could do for yourself and it doesn't cost a cent! I like my quiet time in the morning before the city wakes up (and kitten Jack!).
Have an amazing Saturday and we'll get together again on Sunday.
Linda
I have often had these same thoughts, especially putting the needs of everyone else ahead of myself. The curse of being a teacher, I guess.
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Thank you for this. I really need a reminder once in a while.
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