Loving ourselves and life from where we are
I’m counting down to contentment — to the starting date of my new sacred journey course,“Creating a Life of Contentment," which begins Sept. 15. For one entire year we will travel together as intimate companions: to relax, let go and rest into Love; to discover the bliss of our own life. You can learn all about it here.
I have a challenging one that I have to keep a close eye on or it will snatch me away from my peace. I’ve named it, “pushing instead of pacing.”
(It’s always a good idea to name our habits, by the way. It helps us demystify them so we can do something about them.)
My husband often calls me a “workhorse.” I can be that. I was raised in a family with a very strong work ethic. I come from farm folk—both of my grandmothers, Evelyn and Edna, grew up on farms.
Yesterday was one of those days—a workhorse day—a very long day at the computer. I’d say 10 hours.
If I am mindful, I will take gentle breaks throughout the day. Get up and stretch. Go out in the garden. Put my feet up. Raise my face to the sun. Have a healthy snack. Do a bit of Bay gazing. That way I still have plenty of energy at the end of the day.
If I am not mindful, I will push through with the might of a freight train to get everything done and checked off my list. And if I am not in touch with the needs of my body/mind I can exhaust myself.
Yesterday, I listened well. I did pace myself. I got plenty of work done and thoroughly enjoyed my day. This is the wonderful thing about the practice of mindfulness. It can provide us with a mind and heart-set that notices, listens, and honors so that we can take good care of ourselves—even when we are crazy busy or have deadlines to make.
We can still be busy and be mindful.
Corners of contentment can be found all throughout our day if we take mindfulness seriously. We can stop frequently, take conscious breaths, notice the clouds in the sky, savor our food, sniff a rose, listen to music, hug someone.
Little things like these add up and contribute to a day of ease. We can get the job done and still remain calm and centered. Pacing does that.
And, of course, it always helps if your beloved calls at the end of the day and says he’s bringing home Thai food and a movie. ;-)
So, lovely friend, how are you doing? Are you a pusher or a pacer?
What keeps you on the path of contentment even when you are busy?
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Forever remember that the business of life is not merely about business.
It is about life.
~B.C. Forbes
2 comments:
Excellent post. Also coming from a family of workhorses, I tend to be a pusher. Some days I manage to pace myself well, but I do have to work at remembering to pace myself. (Maybe that satisfies that overdeveloped work ethic? :)
Judy, South Africa
Judy, naaaaay, from one workhorse to another. I am glad you are setting the intention to pace yourself more. I know that not pacing myself was a major factor in losing my health many years ago. Thankfully, now I know how to do life differently. I love the this thought (Thich Nhat Hanh): Breathe, go slowly, smile... Blessings to you this day. Nice to meet you here.
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