Life is busy, there are many demands on all of us, especially with work and family, let alone the demands we place on ourselves.
I want to talk about choice and making conscious decisions to spend time in different ways.
Mindfulness and tech- free time seem to be the buzz words at the moment. But what do they really mean for you?
So much of life now is about making the most of each opportunity, advancing yourself and being the best person you can be. Sometimes the stress of taking time out, relaxing or exercising often just causes more pressure and demands. If slowing down is causing you in fact to stress more and cause you more grief is it worth it?
I think the more useful and relevant question is, what choices are you making about the way you spend your time? Are their moments in your day when you could choose to sit and observe the world instead of checking your emails and facebook page? Are their moments when you could decide to play a game with your child instead of cleaning up the kitchen,to go for a walk in the fresh air, sit outside and have have a cup of tea?
Finding that choice, that thing that makes YOU happy and you find easy to choice.
For some people this may in fact be checking facebook, chatting to friends, sweating it out. If this is you, then accepting that these things make you happy and this is what recharges you and allows you to step back into your life, calmer and more content for those important people around you. Accepting who you are and you are worthy of this time.
As a parent, this can be particularly difficult, accepting that you are entitled to a little time out, whatever that may be. A different way of justifying to yourself that you are worthy of choosing to slow down, is the fact that you are showing to your children and modelling that it is important to recharge and that this is your time to unwind. In this way you are teaching them life long healthy habits.
A wonderful poem that I found a few years ago, demonstrates the concept of slowing down so beautifully. I keep it on my fridge to remind myself and my family.
The poem is called the 'Slow Dance' by Anonymous.....
Have you ever watched kids on a merry- go- round?
Or listened to rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun fading into the night?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed?
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow'
And in your haste, not seen his sorrow?
Ever lost touch or let a good friendship die.
Because you never had time to call and say, 'Hi'?
You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day.
Its like an unopened gift that you're throwing away.
Life's not a race, do take it slower
Hear the music, before the song is over.
I appreciate this is a little sobering, however I think it is an inspiring reminder that it is in the little moments that make life and relationships special, especially for those little people in our lives.
Remember this is not supposed to add pressure or make life harder but the opposite, slow down, give yourself a break, be kind to yourself.