making time

It's sad but true, some of us glorify being busy.  I wouldn't say I necessarily glorify it, but I am guilty of talking about it, or sighing out loud about it.  I don't see the glorification of being busy, but it seems our culture is guilty of it.  

I have learned in the last few months that sometimes saying "yes" to others means saying "no" to myself.  I am notorious for having a full plate.  I will admit, I like to be busy, to an extent.  I do much better with structure but lately I have found myself juggling more often than I prefer.  

How do I know this?  Because I m the type of person who will take the time out every night to make a healthy dinner, a soup from scratch, a fresh batch of cookies.  Or take extra time to juice my greens.  Or write on this blog.  Or pack my lunch for the next day at work.  Or ski.  or practice yoga.  Yet lately, none of that has been existent in my life and I am feeling it.  It happens to all of us.  It is simply part of life.  

I didn't realize it though until I saw a quote today that went something like this: "don't have enough time to eat healthy?  Then you better make time in your life for illness".  And it struck a cord.  Chris and I are pretty healthy people, but sometimes, life happens.  I reach for my mid afternoon coffee when really I should be reaching for my beet juice or tea.  All those quick, easy, "comfort" things can easily become a habit.

For some, those quick, easy, "comfort" things can become a ritual.  Or so robotic, that we don't even notice what we are tasting or doing to ourselves.  So of course, we need to develop an awareness.  And to do so, we need to make some time.

Life's too short.  It passes by silently.  Next time you are feeling busy, make sure you say "no" because that means "yes" for  your family, your children, your husband, girlfriend, YOURSELF.  

I recently had a birthday and received some notes from friends that brought tears to my eyes.  Some were simply a card of fun gift in the mail (who doesn't love mail) and others were notes mentioning my zest for life.  It's fun to learn what others portray of you and I realized I wasn't feeling so "zestful" lately (is that a word?).  But it sure made me realize that I need to get back on my train and make TIME to send a card and make someone else's day, drink a cup of warm tea, and as my yoga teacher said to me this week:   Just breathe ~  Note my big rocks and see if there is anything I can refine, shave time off of, and ask myself where am I getting caught up.

So ask yourself the same and stop glorifying busy.  Take the time and energy you would use to tell others how busy you are and instead use that time to breathe, to taste your food (instead of being so robotic and shoveling it into your mouth), to send a card or to have a cup of warm tea.  Even better - to tell someone you love them or to count your blessings.  

It's up to you to make the time for the things you value most.