Take your time - there's no rush!
Sometimes we all need to slow down a little and realise that the fast pace of our lives is most of our own making, and as such, is within our power to change.
I recently had a really busy week at work and in my personal life - an unexpected 6-hour trip to A&E, an unexpected OFSTED (Educational inspection) visit at my school, my children at each other's throats, my mother falling down an escalator, a power cut, and to top it all, a blocked toilet!
Life is not always easy!
I ran around from one crisis to another and eventually collapsed, exhausted onto my sofa - everything fixed apart from my own state.
I sat down with my head in my hands and from nowhere, one of my cats appeared. He looked at me as if to say "What's your problem?" jumped up beside me, curled up into a ball. It was then that I realised that in my cat's world, the week had been a doddle - he was fed, he slept, he did what cats need to do, and he was happy. He even had time to comfort me!
It made me think and I took myself off to a local farm shop near me where I could get a coffee and a slice of cake in the calm surroundings of the farm. It was blissful. I sat outside despite it being mid November and gave myself an hour to watch the sun descend behind the trees. With my carrot cake and my latte and the sunset, I began counting my blessings, slowing down and rejuvenating.
As the sun set, the mist rose up from the fields as if it was waiting its turn - happy to give the sun its time and to wait for its own allotted slot. But in just one hour, I slowed down, took stock and calmed my inner turmoil. The cat had the right idea. Slow down, take a step back, and look at the wider perspective - it was magical.
Trust your cat!
So if you are feeling a little overwhelmed sometimes, why not take a lesson from your cat - or dog, or budgie if you have one. Take a little time out to get your bearings. I guarantee you'll be better able to face whatever situations you need to.
And remember - perspective is everything. When you're so close to a problem, it's often difficult to see the solution because all you can see is the problem. Taking a step back often lets you see the answers that are already knocking on your door!
Wishing everyone a wonderful week.
Gail
Recent Comments
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Gail,
I bet you feel a whole lot better as well from this blog. You started off right with how our lives are our own making. For me I know my life is how I make it. When life challenges like these happen it always comes to a reality of getting back to NOW, getting grateful, trusting my faith foundation, reviewing my part, accepting it's temporary, and just keep doing the right thing for myself... first.
You appear to have a very busy life. Like you said, what's the hurry? All you can do is all you can do... for now, is enough. Take more time to enjoy this very short life with little things like lattes, carrot cake, and sunrise/sunsets more often.
Stay in the light where darkness fades. Stay grateful. Get your Happy back. Only you can do that.
I totally agree with you, David. Life is what I make of it. I totally understand that, which is why it's nice to be reminded every so often.
All the best
Gail
Thanks for this post! Life is so amazingly busy sometimes...especially in our "post pandemic" life. While being in lockdown and the challenges of 2020 were overwhelming, I sometimes miss the simplicity of it all. I try so hard not to be a workaholic but it's challenging at times. I'm also a believer in listening to my cats...even the baby who got into trouble not once, but THREE times this evening! :-)
Thank you for sharing your post! I, like many others, can relate to your post. We, at times, wear too many different hats at one time. We need to slow down and take time to look after ourselves — e.g. spending time outside in nature, eating well, staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, etc. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Cathy
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Glad you appreciate the time to relax too.
All the best
Gail
Hi Gail, Yes I have to agree with what you said. Sometimes we do and should step back because at times we are too close to the problem.
We do all have to relax and smell the coffee as it has been said..We should all look at the sunset and listen to calming music. As I have always told some of the members "walk away from the computer for about an 1 hour or 2 and then come back and start again".
This is the same thing but doing something different. Which I think that is awesome.
Mary
Thanks Mary. I hope you have time to relax sometime too. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
All the best
Gail
Hi Gail, No I wish I did, I don't ever relax because than I start feeling guilty that I should be doing something working on my training for WA or my CAP training.
My mind starts working overtime then. So I just continue to just work just to get things done.
Mary
I know that feeling very well. But I also know that stressing out about things is a negative emotion and sometimes everyone needs to chill a little. It can also help clear your mind so that you begin to work smarter not harder.
All the best
Gail
Hi Gail, Yes I shouldn't stress but when you have bipolar disorder it is hard not to stress about things. Because my mind is constantly going non-stop. And I can't do anything to stop it.
Yes my doctors are trying to get me to relax because when I stress everything goes wrong for me. Right now I just don't know what to do about it.
This is why I write to focus on something different to occupy my mind and think about something else for once. Like I have mentioned before if my mind would just take a break then I could start thinking more clearly and get things done. This is hard for me I don't know why that is but it is this way. I can't seem to grasp what I am suppose to do..
I have to work on starting to try to do meditation. I don't know about how to calm down. Because I have always been a busy person. This is how bad it was I was so bored that I would change the room. I would deep clean about this time. Then I would be find and then the cycle starts bad up again.
I am terribly sorry for going on and on about what I am going through. I am going through a rough patch but it seems that I am always going getting worse .
I see my doctor on Monday and i hope that this doctor will work out for me. I am just tired of ending up like this.
Mary
Hi Gail, Thank you for your kind words I do appreciate that so much. Yes I do accept it and I am writing. I just have to find a moment to finish my 3rd book because I have a idea for another book on a different subject.
I will still going to write the series that I have started but I also idea for another book on a different subject and I have an idea for another series so I will be busy once I get done with everything.
Mary
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Shux -- my computer is misbehaving...had a message all written, and it decided I was not going to send it. Reminding me to take my time???
Yes, sometimes just backing off and looking at where you are and where you've been can help straighten out your present direction. I do believe the cat has it all figured out...After all, he lives in the moment and sees no need for anxiety about where he's going.
Backing off and looking from a distance can solve some problems.