When all the butterflies die: look forward to new growth

 

While scrolling through Facebook recently, I stumbled upon this quote: “That feeling you get in your stomach when your heart’s broken. It’s like all the butterflies died.” I know a few things about broken hearts and dead butterflies. Hope deferred. Unmet expectations. Loss and emptiness. But during this new season, I am compelled, now more than ever, to make sense of my path. To reclaim that feeling of contentment I talk about in “Try it on for size…” To don happiness as a daily accessory. To welcome new growth. For far too long my attention has been fixated inward on my needs and wants and disappointments. And it’s time for me to look outward and focus on those around me.  To take a break from the distractions and agendas and whatever else thwarts, rather than advances, my purpose. Hopefully, in time, as I breathe and pray, I will discover what makes me tick and who I’m supposed to be.

How do you know you’re on the right path?

What I learned after skipping yoga for more than a week

Over the past two years, I’ve only missed three or four consecutive days of Bikram yoga practice, until last week when I missed nine. Beforehand, I wondered what I’d do with the extra time, or if I’d go a little crazy(ier) without my regular dose of moving meditation. But not only did I survive, I discovered:

1) I had almost forgotten how to spend time alone, and how to make plans without working around my yoga classes. Life exists outside of the hot room.
2) The practice of “yoga” (the “physical, mental and spiritual disciplines that aim to transform body and mind” according to Wikipedia) looks differently to everyone. It can be a walk or bike ride, or may consist of stretching exercises, devotions or breathing through a difficult situation.
3) I need to make a habit of scaling back in life. This allows for other ways to nurture my physical, mental and spiritual health.

How easy is it for you to take a break from your favorite activity(ies)?

Getting unplugged

[Image credit: cooldesign]

Between doctor’s appointments, adult-child drama, work and financial commitments, freelance deadlines, an eight-week yoga challenge, keeping clean clothes in the closet and food on the table, and trying to log in eight hours (not so much) of Zzzzs every night, I’m stretched thin.  The household tasks are going by the wayside and I serve more leftovers than anything else, but life continues.  Albeit with piles of dust bunnies, and laundry that needs folding.  But I’m in serious need of a break.  And so I’ve begun making plans for myself.  I’m calling it my weekend “unplugged.”  For me, that means no social media, including games, no cell phone (except for emergencies only, of course), no email or laptop, no TV or radio.  And no chores or outside commitments.  As soon as my freelance deadlines are buttoned up, I’m running away.  For 24 hours.  I don’t have the details completely worked out yet, but that’s okay.  I know I’ll be traveling light.

When was the last time you got “unplugged?”

Handle with care

[Image credit: Idea go]

For the past month, I’ve been writing more, making plans, getting out and doing more, meeting new people.  Living.  But a few days ago, a nasty headache kept me bedbound for the better part of two days.  I wouldn’t be surprised if my body was telling me time out.  Unfortunately, it oftentimes seems to take a flare-up of my stomach issues or some other health concern to remind me to slow down.  To give me permission to take an extra day off from the gym or put the never-ending chores on hold.  What happened to scheduling frequent mini mental holidays, or self-imposed timeouts?  Life.  I suppose if I would just remember to take regular breaks, my body wouldn’t rebel (and at the most inopportune times, like when the office is short-staffed).  Thankfully, there are others to pick up the slack when the going gets tough, but we only have one body.  And I, for one, need to start handling mine with care.

Do you take regular timeouts?

A self-imposed timeout

[Image credit: digital art]

As a rule, when I come home for lunch, I typically fix something to eat and plop myself in front of the computer to either work on my writing, add a post to my blog, play a little Words With Friends, troll around Facebook or catch up on emails.  This is after a  morning at my “day” job where I am planted at my desk composing emails, updating spreadsheets, uploading content to our websites, etc.  A couple of days last week when I came home at lunchtime, instead of making a beeline for my office, I either pulled out my book (not a Kindle or a Nook but the paper and ink kind) and ate while I read, or enjoyed face-to-face conversation with my daughter.  And when it was time to return to work afterward, I felt more refreshed, as if I had a real break.  Which makes me realize I need to schedule appointments with these self-imposed timeouts from technology on a regular basis.  As one of my friends recently told me, keep it simple.  I like that.

Does technology constantly keep you on your toes, or do you occasionally take time out to enjoy the simple things?