Breathe
The things that overwhelm me are the things I invite into my life. My calendar overflows with work, and personal and social obligations. Most overwhelming are the regular life events like being on time for various appointments, scheduling appointments, returning voicemail and email messages, etc. Weirdly, catastrophes don’t throw me off my center. Perhaps I haven’t met a catastrophe big enough, but when tragedy comes I somehow feel like I’m “dealing with it.”
I’ve decided it’s because tragedies require focus and they are not optional. Tragedies demand attention and I give it my fullest, ride it through, even if it’s on a wave of tears.
The nit-picky, mundane details of living a grown-up life can potentially flatten me. Most of the time I win. There are several pages of to-do lists strewn about my office and home with precisely drawn cross-out lines. Victory for me.
Then, truthfully, there are some days those pages stay tucked away. Blame it on laziness, distraction, boredom, and all of the above.
I hoped by writing this post that a magical affirmation would float from the sky and gently land in my lap. “Oh Great Universe, what is the solution to cure my overwhelm?”
Silence. I only hear the breath flowing through my body. It’s as if the Universe is saying, “There is the answer. Slow down and breathe.”
Usually, when I follow that advice, clarity surely wins. I keep myself accountable for the most urgent and release the pressure from needing to do it all today. There’s always tomorrow and if tomorrow doesn’t come, I think I will be glad that I didn’t waste time on the unimportant.
That’s my affirmation for today. Always subject to change….. (more…)
Being a Sloth and Loving it!
In my opinion, slothfulness gets a bad rep. It’s the name of an animal that moves kind of slothfully and is defined by humans as laziness that ranges on the scale from resisting work to practicing a deadly sin. However, it’s defined, that sloth is not a pleasing characteristic.
But, I would like to argue that the state and art of sloth have its appropriate place in society.
Learn MoreNew Year, New Perspective?
In my professional and personal opinion, New Year Resolutions stink. What does one resolve, anyway? I know I won’t gain any new age, spiritually balanced friends when I poo-poo the desire to awaken the inner me by striving to reach new heights through carefully constructed goals usually listed in some downloaded app.
In my experience, my resolutions are my rehashed and tweaked attempts at having a New Life and call it, Me 2.0. Here’s my secret: after 22 1/2 or so attempts, I haven’t met Me 2.0. I’m still in my original packaging. On January 1, I’m determined to dress this package in pretty bows, but by by mid February, the bows wilt and I start my journey of self acceptance (read: the lies I tell myself to justify giving up my goals).
What’s going to be new this year? Instead of action plans and buddy systems, I’m going to try my hand at CONSISTENCY and OWNERSHIP. I think that’s really at the center of what makes my goal a success or failure. Consistently own that I have things I would like to address and regardless if it’s a new year, new month or new day, I have to consistently own and grow from what I SAY is important to I MUST DO what is important.
Learn MoreI Don’t Have Time
Colleague circles say the same things about clients wanting appointments. Something similar to, “They will come when they are ready to make the sacrifice to put themselves first.” I agree and I recognize putting yourself first is sometimes hard to do when you already feel you don’t have time.
There’s a tiny twinge of remorse, guilt, whatever it is, on me changing my schedule that will change my availability to folks who are ready for therapy. How do everyday people with jobs and commitments make time to see a therapist who doesn’t offer many evening and weekend appointments?
Give it a Try
Pretend it’s the day after Labor Day, okay? The time of year that always excites me.
The crisp air on the walk to the first day of school. It could be hotter than the fourth of July, but for some reason when school started, the air released its humidity and instead of a hurried, stifling rush, the walk turned into a saunter. The night before would bring those nervous butterflies filled with anticipation and excitement and unanswered questions that the following school months would answer. Who am I? Will I pass? Will I make new friends? Will people like me? What time is lunch?
Times have changed and numerous schools open the week before Labor Day. Times have changed to change the date, but the butterflies and questions somewhat remain the same. Who am I? Do I feel successful in the way I define success? Am I taking care of myself? How will I stay connected with my friends and colleagues? Am I doing my best? And the final question on the list – When will I eat lunch?
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