Anyone Else?

Is anyone else out there like me? I use to watch moms that gave and gave, but never took time for themselves. I swore I would never do that. Like my wise grandmother always says, never say what you are never going to do.

The problem is it is hard. It is hard to take time away from others and spend it on ourselves. Yes, we know it's good and healthy, but before we know it another day has passed and we didn't exercise, didn't relax, didn't recharge our batteries. I'm consistently breaking the airplane rule. The one where you put your oxygen mask on before helping small children seated around you.

I am really struggling with this. I'm really struggling to implement a pattern of keeping myself full of oxygen.

Are any of you successful at doing this? I and other readers of this blog would love to know how you do it. Even if you aren't 100% perfect at it, tell us the things you do well.

Drifting or Rowing

Imagine you are in a small row boat on a calm lake. You want to get to the other side of that lake. You can sit and drift and hope you get to the place you want to be. You can also row and ensure that you will get to that place. Yes, rowing is harder. Yes, rowing takes effort. Luckily, speed is not important. You can row as slow as you would drift. The important thing is that you are directing your life, rather than letting the forces drift you because that ensures you will get to that place you want to be.

Rollercoasters

Do you ever feel like you are on a rollercoaster ride? I feel like that lately, especially with regards to my emotions. One day I'm up, ready to tackle the world and any challenge it throws my way, and the next day I'm screaming at the top of my lungs to make it stop as I go careening deep into a valley.

I want to be happy and see the good in the world, but someone keeps throwing cow dung in my face and it makes for trying times.

Trying... As in trials. Yah, I'm really sick of them. I keep on thinking I'm done with them, that I'm taking all I can and then one more comes hurtling at me. The frustrating thing is you can't say "No, thanks, I'd rather not have any more trials." Well, you can say it (and I do) but it doesn't change anything. The trials are still there. So, what do you do? Personally, I cry harder and more frequently. Doesn't really fix anything, but it let's off some of that pressure. And then I ask for strength to make it through this valley. I ask for help getting back on top, where things are sunny and peaceful. And when that sunny and peaceful ride just aren't coming? Well, then you take micro-steps. Micro-steps are the predecessor to baby steps. Micro-steps are what you do when baby steps are just too much. Micro-steps.

Hi, my name is Heather and I'm micro-stepping my was through this trough of cow dung, anticipating a rise in elevation on this track of life, hopefully soon.

Direction

Unfortunately, there is no pause button in life. You are either moving forward or moving backward. There is no standing still. You are either moving towards your goals and dreams, hopes and wishes or you are moving away from them.

Which direction are you headed?

Ai-yai-yai!

I'm sure you have all seen an I Love Lucy episode where Ricky is very worried about something Lucy has done or is about to do. He smacks his face and says "Ai-yai-yai" Yah, that's what I am saying right now. I have an appointment to get my hair cut. Not just trimmed but cut. I've decided the "frumpy mom" look I've been sporting for much longer than I've been a mom has got to go. But it is nearly killing me.

Why is it so hard for me to let go of my long hair? Why am I so attached to it? Why am I afraid of having short hair? I think I'm afraid of losing comfortable and familiar feelings. I'm afraid of the unknown since it has been 24 years since my hair was short. I'm also probably not wanting to officially be "old" since most "old" women have short hair and very few have long. I'm sure there are a number of reasons why I am wondering what I'm doing. But regardless, I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow. Maybe I will do something completely uncharacteristic of myself and go crazy and chop it all off. And then again, maybe I'll chicken out.

Oh, yah I'm suppose to be making a new goal, not talking about hair.

So the new goal is to take time to meditate every day this week.

Mental Goal: Change the Routine

Just got back from vacation and happily can report a 4 pound reduction in those blue numbers that light up on the black box resting on my bathroom floor. Seriously happy about that because generally a vacation means an increase of numbers.

That's not the only benefit from my vacation. I also got some perspective and I feel refreshed. I feel like doing a bunch of new things... like taking my vitamins daily, writing in my journal nightly, and exercising regularly. Which fits perfectly for a new mental health goal of doing something different, breaking up the routine.  Clean out the mundane cobwebs of life and do something different, new, exciting, challenging, fun, etc. etc.

Emotional Goal: Relax

Isn't it funny sad how we often rush rush rush even when we have time to relax. Vacation is a perfect example of this. It's a time to relax and rejuvenate ourselves but we rush from one activity to the next. So my goal for this week is to relax. To truly relax. To not rush. To enjoy the moment. Relaxing is necessary for our health. It gives our hearts and minds a must needed break from the fast paced lives we live. It's an emotional vitamin boost. So...

Happy Relaxing!