Have you ever noticed how often we answer the question “how are you?”, with a “Great thanks...busy”. We are all so busy all the time. There are always things we “should” be doing. I should get the housework done today, should get the breakfast dishes cleaned up before I take the kids to school, should go down to the shops, rather than take a walk, should do this, should do that.
Maybe what we should do is take a look at our “should list”, and see how important this stuff really is. Maybe what we should be doing is spring-cleaning our list. Maybe some of our should list is outdated these days; like ironing is for me, which I think has always been not only out dated, but also over rated, I buy crumple free clothes! I also know housework, dishes, chores, will always (unfortunately) wait for me, and still be there when I decide to do them. I have never had too much difficulty in closing the door on these should do’s and going off to do something I want to do. Of course, if housework is your “thing” then that is what you want to do, as you enjoy it, so it is not really on your should list but on your want list...you know who you are!
I don’t think I have ever walked into the home of a friend with children, looked around in shock, and thought “good goddess!” this place is an absolute pigsty!
Of course I see things, dishes on the sink, toys on the floor, and also it is very likely the friend will say something like, “excuse the mess, you know how it is”... and then you both get on with the business of catching up and enjoying each other’s company.
I know that when I am 105 years old, taking a moment and looking back over my life, having my home absolutely immaculate when the children were small, will not be high on my list of priorities or great accomplishments! I am a busy woman, the things I should be doing are enjoying my life, enjoying my family, enjoying my friends. The things I have to do will wait, and no-one I care about is judging me on when I get them done!
The other day I was between one room and another, tidying up, putting washing away; something totally mundane and un-urgent, when I saw a large shaft of sunlight across my bedroom floor. It looked so inviting, our winter is here and it was a bit on the chilly side that morning. I put down whatever I was doing and decided to lie in the sunlight for 5 minutes and do some deep breathing, clear my mind for just those few minutes. I’m not the best at meditation, I start off with great intentions, get my breathing going. I am usually able to push the thoughts along and clear my mind, then I try to pretend that I am not moving into a more comfortable position, extremely like a napping position, then I promptly doze off. So I try to keep meditations short! Taking these 5 minutes to clear my mind, concentrate on my breath, revitalizes me. Gives my body and mind a break from the usual, ordinary and daily stuff. It takes no time to take a momentary break and kick start your self.
It is essential to use any spare moments you can find, here and there, to quieten your mind (even 1 minute for the extra busy people!) let the thoughts roll away, take deep breaths, relax yourself for just a moment, be kind to you...then get back into it. I can highly recommend doing this in a patch of sunlight at this time of year, very warm and cosy, with a nice dose of Vitamin D thrown in!
Surely all of us deserve to treat ourselves this way every day.
suzy x
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