Posts Tagged ‘Rest’
Thursday, August 4th, 2011
An excellent spot for my mental vacation.
As I near the end of a particularly chaotic week, I’m feeling the need for a personal moment of silence and solitude to recenter.
Right this moment. Close your eyes.
Relax your shoulders and face.
Take a deep, slow breath.
Take another one.
And another.
Spend the next few minutes thinking about what’s good in your life.
Feel your blessings all around you like a warm, soft blanket.
Claim a piece of time for yourself and enjoy your own company.
Breathing.
Thinking.
Smiling.
Better?
Tags: Rest, Solitude
Posted in Gratitude, letting go, Rest, Solitude, Stress | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
The view from the terrace of our apartment
It’s been nearly a month since I’ve written anything – longer than I had hoped. I’ve put the time to good use though. First, my brother got married to a wonderful woman this month. I am thrilled to have a new sister. She’s been part of the family for quite a while, but now it’s official!
At the same time, Willis was working in Italy for a good chunk of the summer. I had two weeks of wedding preparations, plus single parenting, plus preparing to join him overseas. High class problems to be sure, but a busy and stressful time nonetheless.
However, the payoff was amazing. I was able to spend almost two weeks in Italy before returning home with Willis. I had the extreme good fortune to leave all of my stresses and responsibilities behind and give my mind, my body and my spirit complete rest. No decisions. No obligations. Just good food, beautiful wine, wonderful friends and beauty everywhere I looked.
I am re-energized and inspired to take my joy to the next level. I have a long list of post topics which I can’t wait to write.
So thank you for your patience during my ‘sabbatical’ and as always, thanks for being interested in my scribblings.
Ciao!
~Meg
Tags: Gratitude, Italy, Joy, Rest
Posted in Friendship, Gratitude, Italy, Joy, letting go, Rest, Serenity | 5 Comments »
Thursday, April 28th, 2011
When I began my journey to demand joy, I thought that being joyful was something that I could learn how to do and then it would be done. I would be joyful. I thought I could locate the joy switch and flip it on. I have learned what you probably already knew – it’s not that simple.
Turns out that joy is a kind of energy – it ebbs and flows. It needs to be nurtured and maintained. Once you start to create and identify your joy, you have to keep at it. And like any habit you’re trying to change, some days you’re successful and some days you fall of the wagon and have to begin again. Sometimes I fee vibrant and sometimes I have to remind myself to take care of me.
In those instances, I go back to the Basics of Demanding Joy:
- Water – Drink plenty.
- Sleep – You can’t be at your best when you’re exhausted. Sometimes the best medicine is a nap.
- Breath – A good deep breath works wonders. Try it several times throughout the day and any time you feel anxious or stressed. It’s a quick way to recenter yourself.
- Silence – Even just a few minutes a day of peace and quiet to breathe and gather your thoughts can make a world of difference to your stress levels.
- Movement – It’s hard to feel vibrant without getting your blood pumping. A good stretch, a brisk walk, a fun dance – feels great!
- Gratitude – It always boils down to this for me. The more I focus on the blessings in my life – large and small – the more joyful I am.
That’s usually enough to get me started back on the right track. Once I get comfortable with these, I add more ways to nurture myself. I imagine that someday, all of these will become second nature and I won’t have to work at it quite so hard. Until then, I will keep practicing!
Tags: Gratitude, Joy, Rest, self
Posted in Gratitude, Joy, nurture, Rest | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Save yourself please. Wonder Woman is busy.
I think of myself as a strong person. I am reasonably well-educated, self-sufficient and tough – on myself most of all. As a daughter of the women’s movement, I grew up believing that I can do anything I set my mind to, which is why it’s so difficult for me when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Like I can’t handle everything that I handle. There are days (and months) when trying to be a successful wife and mother and employee is too much for me. As much as I hate, hate, hate to admit it, I need help.
Asking for help does not come easily. I should be able to handle things. But I can’t and that sucks. But rather than torture myself with my self-inflicted unreasonable expectations, I am going to get over myself and ask for help. I give myself permission to not be Wonder Woman.
Willis is going to travel quite a bit this summer and I’m going to call in a ton of favors to help me with the kids and the house. I’m calling my doctor to suggest that maybe I need something a little stronger than a positive outlook to keep me going. (damned hormones.)
I promise to prioritize, delegate and purge. I’m going to expose my vulnerability (which I much prefer to deny that I have) and trust that I am supported. Sorry – I’m just too tired for Wonder Woman.
Tags: Housework, No, Rest, self, Stress, Work
Posted in letting go, Rest, Stress, Work | 2 Comments »
Friday, February 4th, 2011
Think about the last twenty minutes before you go to sleep at night. What do you do during that time? That last few moments of the day can be jam packed with joy. This is one of the few times when there aren’t nearly so many demands on you. The workday is done and hopefully (please please please) the kids are asleep. You can now focus on you. I propose a new ritual for all of us that is thoughtful and intentional. Let’s claim that time for joy so that we go to bed with a smile every day.
To build a luxury bed time ritual, take a moment to clear your mind of worry and stress. Shut out thoughts of the office, the to-do list, problems and worries. Then do something nice for yourself. The options are limitless. For example:
- Take a deep cleansing breath
- Spend some time journaling
- Review the day in your mind and give thanks for every good thing that happened
- Take a hot bubble bath
- Share a passionate kiss
- Enjoy what often follows a passionate kiss
- Look into the mirror and notice your own beauty
- Use some lotion with a scent you love
- Meditate
- Listen to some calming music
- Notice how it feels to climb into your soft, warm bed – take a moment to enjoy it.
Do any of these that call to you and please add your own – you deserve it. Sweet dreams!
Tags: intention, Rest, self, Stress
Posted in nurture, Rest, Simplicity, Solitude, Stress | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Well, here we are in the middle of this week’s “storm of the century.” School is out, so I’m home with the kids, snuggled up in a quilt as the snow keeps on falling. This day could be used up on housework. I could just be lazy and watch everything in the DVR today. But I think this snow day is a gift and I don’t want to waste it. I have the whole day to read and play and dance and think and breathe. And I want to drink in all of it and have the most joyful snow day ever.
On the topic of Snow Days, here is a video from last winter that I just can’t get enough of. Enjoy! -
How to Make a Snow Day
Tags: Gratitude, Rest, self, Time
Posted in Gratitude, Joy, Rest, Time | 2 Comments »
Monday, January 24th, 2011
When the drudgery of daily life gets me down, I often fantasize about having a wife. This is not a new concept – there’s been a lot written about working women needing a wife:
Working Women’s Wife Envy (Salon.com)
What a Working Woman Needs: A Wife (New York Times)
Wedded to Work, and in Dire Need of a Wife (New York Times)
Many Working Women Want a Wife (Boston Globe)
Every Woman Needs a Wife (Mommy with a Masters)
In my fantasy wife-having life, a plate of hot food is placed in front of me at least once a day and I never have to contemplate how that came to pass. In this parallel universe, I never look at the incoming mail and never give a thought to our bills and finances. I just assume that it’s all taken care of. I do not bother with which day show & tell is in first grade or when field trip permission slips are due back or when the daycare needs more diapers.
In the world where my wife exists, I open my closet door and always find it full of clean clothes, as if by magic.
No pediatrician appointments to schedule. In fact, no more time management of the family calendar at all. No more trips to the dry cleaner. No more picking up toys. No more meal planning. I would never have to care whether we are running out of shampoo or toilet paper.
I would still be glad to help with all of these things if asked, but ultimately, none of it is actually my responsibility. The minutiae of our lives would be someone else’s problem. I’m not the cruise director of this ship any longer. Just imagine how much energy I would be able to refocus with my wife doing his or her thing?
I have to imagine it quick before the oven timer goes off and the dinner-bath-bedtime sprint begins. But my non-existent wife brings a smile to my exhausted face.
Tags: Housework, Rest, Women, Work
Posted in Housework, Rest, Stress, Time, Women, Work | 7 Comments »
Friday, December 10th, 2010
I always struggle with the onset of winter. The days get shorter and colder and grey. There’s no way around it – its depressing. I’m not the only one. Many people around me are tired, sluggish and grumpy. So I take plenty of vitamin D and I’m careful to get as much light as possible. But that’s really only to keep on an even keel. It’s still a tough time of year.
This year, I’m making a conscious effort to reframe the cold and the darkness. Winter is a time for hibernation. A time to snuggle up and rest for a while. It’s a time to reflect. To be still. To think. To plan.
I would like nothing more than to sit in front of a roaring fire in my coziest pajamas with a martini until spring. Unfortunately though, I’m expected at the office.
But I can still focus on warmth and introspection this season. I can make time for my fireplace. I will make an effort to go to bed earlier (if Pinky is cooperative). I will eat warm, comforting food. I will seek out quiet time to think.
I will always breathe a sigh of relief when spring comes, but I’m going to try hard not to waste the winter.
Tags: Rest, winter
Posted in Rest | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
I have many good moments, but this one really stood out.
Last night, I had one of those moments that stand out and freezes in time. We had just finished dinner. I was wiped out from a long day, so I went to the living room for a moment of peace & quiet (or “peachy quiet” as it is known at my house). Willis had had perhaps one glass of wine too many and was in an extra good mood. He was singing while he loaded the dishwasher. He stopped to bring me an unsolicited bowl of gelato. As I kissed him in thanks, Pinky and G were playing together in the next room. G was giggling and chasing Pinky. She was squealing with laughter.
There I was, resting, freshly fed and kissed, surrounded by my happy family. I was overwhelmed with feelings of contentment and joy.
The moment was fleeting. Soon enough, Pinky had a head bonk, putting an end to their game. The rush of baths, pajamas, stories and bed time began. But that’s all OK, because I will always have that benchmark moment. I can recall it whenever I feel stressed or frustrated. I’m grateful for not only the moment itself, but also for the fact that I was mindful enough to grab it. It is something I will treasure.
Tags: Gratitude, Happiness, Husbands, Joy, Kids, Rest, self
Posted in Gratitude, Meg, Rest | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
You wouldn’t think that only one extra day would make that much difference. A two-day weekend at our house is a whirlwind. A mad dash of laundry and cleaning, family dinners, running errands and preparing to tackle another week.
But that 3rd day! Over the Labor Day weekend, the laundry and cleaning still got done, but without the sense of urgency. I had time to play Operation (the board game) with my son, time to go on a date with my husband, time to spend with friends, even time to read a book and take a nap! It was heaven.
As a mom of two small children who also works outside the home, time is my most precious commodity. I will sneak time whenever possible. I will squeeze my days to make time to get everything done. I gather time wherever I can find it. I crave it. Sometimes I feel desperate for it. But this time just came to me, no strings attached. A whole big chunk of time – what a gift. Today I feel gratitude for the extra day over this holiday weekend.
I hope you enjoyed some time off too!
Tags: Fun, Rest, Time
Posted in Gratitude, Rest | No Comments »
