It’s the end of a long work day. You have just finished the dishes and head to the living room to plunk yourself down on the sofa. A few moments after you do, you remember ‘that thing’ you were going to cross off your to do list. Suddenly, your mind begins to race and you feel your body tense with the anticipation of getting up to get whatever it is accomplished so that you can rest…
Maybe this has happened to you. That moment when you have a chance to yourself, a chance to simply be and your mind begins to race with ideas, things to do, places to go, people to call, you name it. While there is definitely a time and place to get things done, there’s just as much value and importance on simply being.
Our Culture of Busy’ness
I, like many can definitely relate to this idea of having a full schedule. Laundry lists of things to accomplish, committees, work stuff, family priorities, social gatherings. While there can be a real thrill and sense of accomplishment in being productive and getting things done, why does this seem to be our default state?
In our Western culture, we tend to place a lot of value in what people do or how they contribute and give back to the world around them. I believe within that there’s also a sense of responsibility and worth we attach to doing things. Perhaps we have a lot of responsibilities in our lives - raising children, managing a business, managing people, etc. Corporations are even being designed to put more work on staff, cut corners, and boost productivity in this endless race of money and power in the market. But it’s as though the harder we work and the longer we work in such a way, we begin to condition ourselves to function in this state longer than is actually sustainable. *Cue the coffee industry and energy drinks* Suddenly, this idea of pushing through all the time is seen as a badge of honour, something we attach our self-worth and even our identity to.
Okay….. now pause…. Take a breath…. notice your energy where it is RIGHT NOW after reading that. Notice where your shoulders are. Any tension creep in? Now notice where your body is and its position. Feel your sitting bones on the surface beneath you and take a look at the space around you…. Take a longer breath in and a nice deep exhale. Use your breath to come into your body. What happened there?
The Space Between
In that moment before we do the next thing, while it may be small, there is a space. It may be the space between tasks or even the space between the exhale and the inhale. In this moment, you have a realization that there is a choice on how you can proceed. In this space, there is a softening, a beingness. Notice it. There it is. Here you are. Right….now…
Sickness as a Teacher
There may have been times when had been going along, being busy and all of a sudden, you hit a wall. Maybe you get sick. Simply, the body says "NO!" This is your wake up call. Hopefully, the experience is one you can bounce back from. The key in these times is to use the sickness as teacher. Perhaps while you were laid up in bed, you had time to ponder and reflect on what brought you to this point. Great! But at the same time, to release any judgement we have of ourselves for pushing the envelope a little too much. After all, we are human and sometimes in living we fall on our butts. Whether it’s a sickness, surgery, or injury you are recovering from, to remember that your soul is inhabiting a very precious human body, a body which has its limits, a body which needs respect, love, and attention to survive and continue living this full and glorious experience. To remember this - the time and attention you give to being with yourself is important.
The Invitation
In the moments following you’re reading this article, experiences will come into your sphere. Life may speed up or maybe slow down. My invitation to you is to notice those in between spaces, notice your breath, come back to your beingness, feel your body, and truly check in with what’s alive in your heart. Connect with this unique life force flowing through you. This is your life. And from that place of connection, step into the next moment with a sense of joy and gratitude for whatever may come your way. Greet every experience as a teacher, one that is guiding you toward your next expansion. I’m here.
With love, Tim
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