Posts tagged Taking The Time
I Do It in High Heels
Sep 24th
I laugh at myself when I get up, get dressed to go in the office usually in business casual attire. A nice pair of slacks is not entirely complete until you slip on a nice pair of high heels. Business appropriate of course. Working in the technology field as a Software Quality Engineer, my day typically consist of chasing requirements, feedback, and issues all day long. Give me a cape and call me super woman. By the time I reach the end of the day, I’ve already thought of a thousand things I need to do. Finally I’m on the way home. I stop by the grocery store to pick up a few items, and rush in to start dinner. Walk in the door, put my purse down and hit the kitchen to get dinner going. Click clack click clack I still have my heels on while I’m doing it. Gesh…….it never ends. While the spaghetti simmer, I read mail, check on the kids and homework, return a few phone calls, and answer email. High heels still on!!!!!!!
As women we tend to have those never ending days. We find ourselves constantly doing, giving, and taking care of others, both at work and at home. The busy schedules seem to always include everyone, but ourselves.
We have to start taking the time to care for us. I love my high heels. However, we have to remember to kick those 3 inch heels off and unwind. It’s important to get some down time so that we can continue to be the best for our families, our businesses, and for our selves.
Enjoy the Simple Things in Life
Sep 1st
It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957)
American Author of Little Home on the Prairie Series
Living in the same place, going through the same motions day after day often leaves us numb to our surroundings. Sometimes it does require a geographical move to shake us up or a change in our health or relationships. Mostly, it requires us to pay attention and be clear about our intentions; the intention that we want to enjoy the simple things in life that give us most pleasure.
In moving to another culture, we became amazed at the joy we were getting from the simple things in life. To name a few, we treasured.
Carrying colorful straw baskets everywhere.Eating good tasting fresh fruit and vegetables.Walking our daughter to school – versus being in the car all of the time.Being successfully understood when conversing in French.Cooking a scrumptious meal made from seasonal foods.Sticking our head out the window to smell the fresh air and try to catch a speeding swallow.Picking lavender on our walks or fresh figs from the nearby orchards.Sitting in an outdoor cafe’.Shopping in the farmer’s markets for seasonal food at great prices.Reading together on the couch every night.Driving through the round-a-bouts versus stopping at red lights.Being pushed out of our comfort zones all the time (we became enthusiasts of trying new things).Drinking great, local French wine.Talking to old friends and family back in California.Meeting new friends.
A few tips that help in being able to enjoy the simple things life offers:
– Get rid of clutter in your life, in your house, and in your mind.
Wherever there is clutter there is no room to see what is in front of you and sense deeper aspects of life. Start by taking the time to clean out the physical clutter around you – anything you haven’t used in the past year is obscuring your vision from enjoying what you do have.
– Surround yourself with supportive people (and be aware of negative people and energy).
You can’t appreciate the simple things around you when it is clouded with negative energy. Whether it is your own or other people’s – get rid of it or minimally compartmentalize it so it isn’t pervasive in your life.
– Focus on what you are doing and who you are with.
Distractions deter you from both seeing, hearing, feeling, and smelling the simple joys in life. The more you are able to be present in the moment, the more you are able to enjoy the treasures of the moment.
– Make a list of all the simple things you enjoy and make sure you enjoy at least one of them daily and more weekly.
By making a list of the simple things you enjoy, you begin to focus on making sure they are in your life. Whether it is cooking a special meal, planting a garden, walking hand-in-hand with your child, or reading a good book, state the intention that you want in your life. What we pay attention to we make time for and create.
– Take yourself out of your comfort zone and experience new simple pleasures.
Travel is one of the easiest ways to take yourself out of your comfort zone and experience so many new simple pleasures. Closer to home, meander over to a new hiking trail you have never been on or try tuning into a new radio station. Try something new and different, such as inviting some unknown neighbors over for a glass of wine or a cup of tea, and be surprised about the smile that it brings to you and others.
