In our day to day
whizzing about, our feet hit the floor running. Work; kids;
relationships; meal planning, shopping, and preparation; laundry;
cleaning; errands; ferrying people about; making and keeping
appointments; volunteering; providing a shoulder to cry on…
whizzing about, our feet hit the floor running. Work; kids;
relationships; meal planning, shopping, and preparation; laundry;
cleaning; errands; ferrying people about; making and keeping
appointments; volunteering; providing a shoulder to cry on…
We give and give and
give, sooner or later to have nothing left to sustain ourselves, let
alone anyone else. Then where are we, and all of those who depend on
us?
give, sooner or later to have nothing left to sustain ourselves, let
alone anyone else. Then where are we, and all of those who depend on
us?
The problem is that
we think we don’t have the time, the money, or deserve to do the
types of things that are indispensable in keeping us sane. They
need not be time consuming or expensive. And it’s not necessary to
resort to alcohol or other chemicals for relief or relaxation.
we think we don’t have the time, the money, or deserve to do the
types of things that are indispensable in keeping us sane. They
need not be time consuming or expensive. And it’s not necessary to
resort to alcohol or other chemicals for relief or relaxation.
- Pamper
yourself. Light some candles, put on some relaxing music, and
luxuriate in a bubble bath (you’ve seen what a nice bath will do for
wound up kids).
- Go
to a beauty salon just to get your hair washed, or find someone
willing to sit quietly and brush your hair or rub your feet.
- Visit
a library or book store. Browse an area that is of special interest,
be it travel, art, garden, cooking, poetry, inspirational, or some
other topic of wonder. Children’s books are great fun to look at. You
may come across one from your childhood; certainly you will discover
some new ones with stories or illustrations that will take your
breath away or bring tears to your eyes.
- Allow
yourself daily contact with nature. Smell the flowers, the fresh cut
grass, the soil. Look up through the branches of a tree and drink in
the many shades of green as the sunlight filters through the leaves.
Revel in the gentle breeze, the bird song, the crickets and cicadas
making their music. Watch the squirrels and their antics, the
sparrows tormenting the crows. Visit the spider that is bound to be
spinning a web someplace in the yard. Wonder at how all of life has
its own routines and boundaries…
- Get
yourself some really nice colored pencils and a coloring book geared
toward calming the frazzled minds of adults- Roger Burrows’ Images,
OptiDesigns, Mandalas, Coloring Books for Women. Coloring is very
relaxing.
You
may notice that I tend to suggest things that seem more appropriate
for children. We all have an inner child and being able to access
him/her is very useful in connecting on a deeper level with the
children in our lives. Not only that, but we can give ourselves the
nurturance we wanted and may not have gotten as a child.
may notice that I tend to suggest things that seem more appropriate
for children. We all have an inner child and being able to access
him/her is very useful in connecting on a deeper level with the
children in our lives. Not only that, but we can give ourselves the
nurturance we wanted and may not have gotten as a child.
That
said, it is my firm belief that even adults should have a stash of
toys of their very own. I keep a drawer of toys in my office:
bubbles,
slide whistle, magic wand filled with glitter, slinky, kaleidoscope,
magnet sculpture, Jacob’s ladder, Koosh ball, and a snugly stuffed
animal that is actually a comfort to me when I am sad or lonely. My
personal favorite is a hand held labyrinth that serves to collect my
thoughts when they scatter following intense and extended
concentration, or spending a few hours in the company of several
children all vying for my attention.
said, it is my firm belief that even adults should have a stash of
toys of their very own. I keep a drawer of toys in my office:
bubbles,
slide whistle, magic wand filled with glitter, slinky, kaleidoscope,
magnet sculpture, Jacob’s ladder, Koosh ball, and a snugly stuffed
animal that is actually a comfort to me when I am sad or lonely. My
personal favorite is a hand held labyrinth that serves to collect my
thoughts when they scatter following intense and extended
concentration, or spending a few hours in the company of several
children all vying for my attention.
Make
your own list of ideas for when you just can’t take it any more! In
the end, we must rely only upon ourselves to provide the nurturing
our soul so desperately craves, to fill our spirit so that we can
care for those who need us, and stay on top of the many other demands
in our lives. To expect it from someone else leads only to
disappointment and resentment.
your own list of ideas for when you just can’t take it any more! In
the end, we must rely only upon ourselves to provide the nurturing
our soul so desperately craves, to fill our spirit so that we can
care for those who need us, and stay on top of the many other demands
in our lives. To expect it from someone else leads only to
disappointment and resentment.
RDW (2007, revised 2010)