I can’t tell you the last time I’ve decided to re-read a book I’ve already read – just because…… (referencing them doesn’t count). But I decided to pick up the book “Radical Acceptance ” by Tara Brach, Ph.D., after I ordered it for a friend (orignially couldn’t find my copy to lend her…meant to be maybe?).  When I received the copy I ordered for her, sure enough, I found my copy. This book was recommended to me when I was going through a difficult time in my life. It was a big help then, but I’m amazed at how much more I resonate with its messages. One of which is learning to pause.

I was literally just reading about this last night when I was able to put this into practice with my son. I’m obviously not the most objective person when it comes to my kids, but my son is really one of the sweetest kids I know (and he makes me laugh). But when it comes to Lego’s – he seems to forget that the world outside of what he’s doing even exists (which by the way I’m thrilled that he loves playing with them…it’s just his choice of when he plays with them).

Like many other parents, we’re usually scrambling in the morning to get ready and get out of the house. Yesterday morning I went in to check and see  if he was getting changed. He got halfway there…..but decided he needed to sit on the floor naked and assemble something! Normal mom reaction…”What are you doing? Get dressed, we have to leave…blah, blah, blah..”. After going out to dinner with family last night we have the normal “I took a shower first LAST night…” between both kids (because of course it’s absolute punishment to get clean). After about 10 minutes of hearing the water running I go into the bathroom to make sure he’s washed his hair…..but he’s standing naked at the counter PLAYING WITH THE LEGO’S  he wanted to take INTO the shower! Fiteen minutes later I decide to tell him to pick up the pace as I want some hot water for a bath later and he’s sitting on the floor IN the shower…playing with Lego’s!!  He got a little smarter this morning….he got his pants on and shut the door to his room….and played with Lego’s!

My opportunity to pause came this morning when I opened his bedroom door and saw him sitting on the floor with his Lego’s. Much like Tara Brach says in “Radical Acceptance”,  practicing pausing makes it easier and easier (fortunately my kids have given me lots of practice!). As opposed to flying off the handle, I took a minute (probably seconds) and just looked at him. “Sorry, sorry”, he says, jumping up to finish getting ready. All I could do was smile at him. As I was able to pause (even if it was brief), I felt a huge sense of gratitude that he had something he loved doing SO much that he could completely get lost in it.  So, needless to say, nemesis or not, the Lego’s are here for a while!

I’ve found that the massage does just as much for me mentally as it does physically (well, almost). I love to get 90 minute massages (who doesn’t?), and the spa that I go to is fairly reasonable for the price (I think it’s $95 for 90 minutes….which I’ve paid way more for a 50 minute massage at some hotels….and they have never been as good). What this does for me is it allows me to just sort of slow down my brain for a while. Like most other people, I have a lot going on in my life. I spend the majority of my work day on the computer so my neck is constantly tight. Because the work I’m doing is for my own company, it’s kind of hard to shut it off- and I love what I’m doing. So when I get a massage I really make a conscious choice to relax, breath deeply and enjoy the quiet.  I usually leave feeling in a very calm place….even if I have to get back to my ‘things to do today’ list- I’m able to enjoy what I’m doing, get more accomplished and at a less huried pace.

“Worry narrows; gratitude expands. Find ways to celebrate all that you have”. As much as I’d like to think I’ve “let go” of worrying (ha ha), it sneaks up on me when I least expect it. I have a lot going on in my life right now, all of which is good- and this thought on whole living was a perfect reminder about what I have to be grateful for. It’s not just that worrying about things is a waste of energy, it also sends the wrong message to the Universe (as well as my immune system…which is fightly a lovely cold right now) and creates a ‘tightness’ inside that pulls me further away from what it is I want to attract into my life.

The next few days are going to busy, but mainly because I am fortunate enough to be going on a  wonderful vacation with my family next week. It’s certainly something to be gratful for and is coming at a perfect time as well. It’s obvious I need a little break and some down time. I have every intention of just enjoying my time, swimming with my kids, relaxing with my parents and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us.

As things have been picking up with my business, I find myself back on the computer late at night (I guess that’s probably the only downfall to working for yourself, doing something that never feels like work). I tend to be a creature of habit, so when my sleep was cut from about 7-8 hours a night to 6 or less- it caught up to me. After a week of this schedule, I ended up getting pretty sick. Sore throat, congestion, cough, aches, the works. Which is pretty much the only time I get sick….when I’m not getting enough rest. So, by pushing myself (although it didn’t feel like it at the time) I ended up losing a lot of time last week. At lot more than I would’ve lost had I just gone to bed earlier. Oh well. Lesson learned!

Needless to say, I’m back on a better schedule and am taking the time out of my day for rest, meditation and exercise. Taking the time to do these things ensures I will have the strength and energy to do everything else.

I quietly walk into the Pilates studio with my reformer pass, say good morning and start getting situated. While I’m putting on my iPod, I see the trainer pulling one of the new machines out from the wall (I’ll get the names of these things next time I post something!). You gotta love mirrors! So, I just take my time adjusting the reformer and do everything I can to simply WATCH what she was doing! Duh! I know, not necessarily Einstein, but I was thrilled to get a new move……for FREE! It was one of those moves that while it’s not hard to do, provides some serious strength training. Now to figure out when some more private sessions are taking place.

I have also created somewhat of a bedtime ritual for myself as well. Frightening ,isn’t it? Not so much….it’s not too rigid. Just a warm bath, some bubbles and a book. As far as the book goes, the obvious choice would be some sort of self-help type book (or how to…)- but, it really depends on my mood. Even for someone obsessed with information (I also wonder- when did that happen??? Actually it just sort of evolved!)-I read a novel every now and then. Oh- and of course in addition to my plethera of books, I’m bit of a magazine junkie. I have my phases with those too- but there’s usually the good ol’ standby’s: O magazine, Body & Soul, Self, Shape, Millionaire Blueprints, and when I really want to shut my brain off- People (just to name a few).

And of course, after my tub I am a complete fanatic about lotion. I just got a new body butter- Moonlight Path- pretty nice, but one of my favorites is Vanilla & Bergamot body butter by Bliss. (What a random post this is tonight!)

And lastly, if I’m having trouble sleeping, a couple Tylenol PM and a meditation CD by Wayne Dyer does the trick.

Comments (0)