Clear Focus
The middle of December is hectic and busy for everyone. As I was trying to finish up deadlines and get things ready for the family Christmas festivities, this memory came to mind that helped bring me back to a place of calm:
One day in the spring, I came home in a hurried frenzy after running errands and catching up with the weeks to do list. I came to a stop when I noticed a chickadee sitting in the planter next to the door. I could see its soft white baby feathers from underneath and knew then that it was just learning to fly. I made sure it was ok as it flew into the nearby rhododendron and found myself feeling strangely better for the encounter. The baby bird made me stop and listen to myself.
Because we are so busy looking after our families, getting ahead at work, or simply rushing out of habit, we neglect the importance of our own well-being. Signs that you are going too fast include dropping things, forgetting things, a general sense of anxiety, shallow breathing, and feelings of disconnection from yourself or others.
I was one of those people who didn’t have time for me. I made up lots of excuses about why I just didn’t have the time, but eventually I realized that the consequences of not slowing down to listen to yourself create a cascade of health issues that are far more time consuming to recover from than the time it takes to slow down.
Here are a few tips to help you slow down:
- Next time you are feeling rushed, stop, sit down, and take three slow deep breaths.
- When you are travelling, be it by car or transit, leave your phone alone. You can catch up on your calls when you arrive at your office. Enjoy the car ride, listen to your favorite music or listen to a book. If you have kids in the car, it’s a great opportunity to have a conversation with them.
- Remember staring out the window and daydreaming? Schedule a regular time each day where you can sit with a cup of tea or coffee in a tranquil space. The empty space is just what you need to calm your mind and tune in to the wisdom of your body, mind and spirit.
If you are really challenged to slow down, homeopathy can help to bring you back into balance, but ultimately listening to yourself is the key. The more I take the time to listen, the healthier and more present I am as a mother, wife and daughter. I am able to juggle all the things my busy family life and career have to offer with calmness, and when stressful situations come my way I am able to deal with them without much fuss.
Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas and a New year filled with love, laughter and good health.
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