Posts Tagged ‘thoughts’

       

So, here I am, feeling harried, feeling stressed, and rushing from one task to another. 

Gotta get ‘em done so I can relax.  Gotta get ‘em done so I can get onto “the good stuff” in life. 

There’s the dishwasher to be unloaded.  There’s laundry waiting to be folded and/or ironed.  There are receipts waiting to be entered into the computer.  There’s so much to do!  And none of it is the joyful part of my day.  I just want to get through them so I can … (fill in the blank here).

Do you know that feeling? 

Do you recognize that scenario?

How often do you find yourself thinking about the next thing that needs to get done WHILE you’re still doing something else?  And just how well is that working to reduce your stress?  To add joy to your day?  For me, if I’m honest about it, that doesn’t really help. 

It’s easy to be on auto-pilot and keep plugging away in the mindset I just described.

Here’s an idea!  Stop doing that. 

No, not the individual tasks (although that IS an option). 

Stop the mental auto-pilot response of doing one thing and thinking about all the others still to be done. 

Try this instead.  Focus in on what you’re doing in the moment. 

Use your senses to really notice what you’re doing.  What your body is doing.  What you’re experiencing. 

Embrace the repetitive movements in your day. 

Give it a try.  Start with one task that has a repetitive element.  Focus on the task and watch your brain slow down.  Fold the laundry and actually notice the texture of the towels, the colors, the fresh scent, how warm they are against your body, and the visually pleasing folded stack that you’re creating. 

Choose to experience the repetition in the task as a chance to mentally slow down and enjoy your life.  Right now.  The moments that are part of your life. 

As you focus on what you are doing right now, take note of how you feel.  Do you feel LESS stress for a change?  Do you feel a sense of satisfaction?  What else? 

Give it a try and let me know what YOU experience. 
~Margie

                 

Well, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m stealing my “3 Rs” from a magazine ad.  

An ad for a colon cleansing product, of all things.   

Yeah, I know.  Strange source of inspiration.   

Whoever wrote the copy for that ad sure got my attention, and in a positive way. 

I thought to myself, Hey, I want to feel that way, too! 

Didn’t make me buy the product but I sure ripped out the ad so I could save it for inspiration and to share with you.  

I hear you saying, Enough already!  What the heck are the 3 Rs that you’re so enamored with, Margie?  Just tell us already.   

Okay, here they are, with my own ideas for implementation.  

RECLAIM your body’s natural abilities. 

If you’re anything like me, you have a tendency to take for granted your fabulous body and its marvelous functions.  So, how can we RECLAIM our natural abilities?  You know me, I’m all about small changes and little tweaks that we can incorporate into our daily lives – small, consistent efforts that will add to our lives in a big way.  Here are some ideas to get you started reclaiming your body in just a few minutes a day:

Go for some gentle stretching or some soft, fluid yoga postures.  Do you sit hunched over a computer or the steering wheel or slouched on the sofa?  Reclaim your flexibility! Do a shoulder shrug; do a seated twist; lie down and stretch your arms and toes as far as you can.  You get the idea.  Just stretch.

Take a few minutes to breathe slowing and deeply.  We spend most of our day taking shallow, short breaths.  Reclaim your lung power!  Expand your belly as you inhale and then slowly exhale.  Repeat until you feel yourself slow down and relax.

What other natural abilities are you inspired to reclaim?

RESTORE energy and balance. 

Life tends toward hectic-ness and chaotic-ness, not so much towards balance.  We know that we can’t control all the things that come flying our way on a given day.  But, there are certainly small things we can incorporate into our day to RESTORE our energy and balance in the midst of chaos.

Focus on beauty.  Take just a few minutes to slow down and focus on something beautiful and natural.  Gaze upon and then mentally construct a detailed description of something natural and simple like a cloud in the sky or the sunlight coming through the trees. It’s amazing how quickly you’ll return to a place of mental calm and balance.

Loving touch is a powerful means to restoring balance.  Give it a try.  Just reach out and touch someone you love – give them a hug, hold their hand, or play footsies.    

What other ways do you restore your energy and balance during the day?

 

REJOICE in a healthier, happier you. 

Move, baby, move!  Dance around the house for a few minutes (how about just one song?).  Dancing to whatever music gets your toes tapping is such a fabulous way to enact ALL 3 Rs – you’re reclaiming your body’s natural abilities by moving, you’re restoring energy and balance, and what a fun way to rejoice.

Play like you’re a kid again!  Do something FUN and silly.  Do the hula hoop, play hopscotch, swing and slide at the playground, put on your old roller blades, skip down the street, blow bubbles, or do whatever floats your boat.  Just do something playful and rejoice!

 

 Here’s to the new 3 Rs – reclaim, restore, and rejoice. 

Here’s to a healthier, happier you.  And me, too!
Margie

Wander Woman: How high achieving women find contentment and direction

I just finished reading this fabulous book that made me feel like the author had been following me around and getting to know me better than I knew myself.  I kept finding myself saying, “Aha, so that’s why I do that!” and “So, I’m not crazy after all – other women feel this way, too.”  And stuff like that. 

Author Marcia Reynolds, PhD, has described me to a tee. 

And I believe that she may have your number, too. 

Check out her insightful book about women who want more out of life and who feel like it’s out there for them if they could only put their finger on what’s missing. 

Boy do I know that feeling!  That’s the reason I’m a life coach today – I had that feeling, found my own path to fulfillment, and now want to help other women find their path.

I had the good fortune to speak with Dr. Reynolds on a conference call just the other day along with a handful of other “wander” women. 
What a wonderful experience – to have a dialogue with the author of such an inspirational work!  Her energy and enthusiasm for spreading the work about all of us Wander Women seems to be limitless. 

Read it yourself and let me know what you think!
~Margie