The big picture: sacrificing on the front end

Last Sunday morning, I woke up and declared aloud: “I’m not hiking today”—which was a pretty big deal, since anyone who knows me also knows a trek in the mountains provides me an opportunity to decompress, to recharge and to reconnect with my Maker on a deeper level. However, if past experience taught me anything, it required I consider the plans I hoped to accomplish before lights out that evening. In this particular case, it meant sacrifice on the front end to set myself up for success on the tail end. I spent roughly three hours (factoring in typical commute and trail choice) playing catch up: paperwork, goal setting and household chores. Plus, I prepared a hearty split pea soup for dinner. The pièce de résistance? A strong plan sketched out for the week, month and year ahead. And the bonus: enough time for a wild and crazy Trivial Pursuit game night.

What sacrifice have you made on the front end to realize a successful tail end?

Dealing with loss: a new way to approach closed doors

 

Open doors are often viewed as gateways to fresh opportunities. Conversely, we might assume a closed door denotes an end. However, I read an article recently that describes doors in an expanded light: closed doors can also signify new beginnings. When a metaphorical door is closed in our lives, and we accept it as our new reality, we grant ourselves permission to grow in other areas. Perhaps you’ve experienced a closed door through the loss of a friendship, hope or health. Rather than mourn the end, I believe it’s healthier to carve out space to reconnect with or rediscover the spark of your truest self. This may be revealed in your sacred place—through a creative outlet or a commune with nature, meditation or a mini-getaway. Allow the door to your heart to remain open. Resume living. And trust that, although your path might look different than you’d imaged, it can lead to a new beginning if you allow it.

What door has recently closed in your life?

Photo courtesy of Master isolated images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Social networking: checking in and out

Social media can be a time waster, yet it has its place. I use various forms to maintain contact with family and friends, as well as promote my writing and sprinkle encouragement. And, social media is how I keep up-to-date as far as world events. But I can’t count the number of times I get sucked into the drama, the recipes and book reviews, music and cat videos, the goofy memes and even the political harangues. Yet I like feeling as if I’m part of something bigger than myself. Plus, I’m thankful for the people I’ve reconnected with, and for instantaneous communications—although not always a good thing when you feel compelled to respond immediately to a text or a private message. I think, like with most things, setting aside allotted time—particularly to check in and catch up on Facebook, email, texting, Twitter, etc.—might be one answer to rein in the day-to-day distractions and simplify life.

Where does social networking fall on your list of distractions?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Dialing down the distractions

It’s not every day we can disconnect to reconnect, but there are ways we may tune out the interruptions we have control over. For instance, if Facebook is a constant distraction while working on the computer, close it out until you’re ready to take a break. If email and instant messaging are time-stealers, carve out space to chat when you’ve accomplished what you committed to do. And the distractions we don’t have control over can serve to teach us self-control. In yoga, practitioners stare at their reflection for 90 minutes in a hot room. We’re instructed to acknowledge and then to let go of any discomfort or emotion, and to focus on our breathing. This keeps us in the moment. There will always be distractions—whether an emergency, or an unexpected visit or phone call or an itch that begs to be scratched—but if we are mindful with our time, remain flexible and breathe, everything will get accomplished.

How do you keep the distractions at a minimum?

[Image credit Salvatore Vuono and freedigitalphotos.net]

When you disconnect to reconnect

Sometimes you just need to pack a bag, hop in your car and drive. This past weekend, I disconnected from email, phone, texting and social media, and drove five hours into Ponderosa pine country in Northern Arizona. Chatting over a steaming dark roast with a photographer and the lodge’s reservationist aka bartender aka waitress aka housekeeper, warming my city toes by the crackling fire [read: genuine log], reading and napping (a lot), fueled my urgent need to escape my commitments, reconnect and breathe in each (higher-altitude) moment as it transpired—unplanned, unhurried. And afterward, as I repacked to return to reality, in between my rolled up sweaters and scarves and unsuitable footwear to hike in the remnant patches of winter mud and snow, I tucked a travel-sized wedge of the peace I discovered and the lessons I learned in a little log cabin in the woods. Now I need to unpack and put these gems into practice.

What is a favorite way for you to disconnect to reconnect?

[Image credit Jeroen van Oostrom and freedigitalphotos.net]

Wanting more time

[Image credit: healing dream]

Prior to last month’s getaway, I promised myself I’d be thankful no matter how much time I was able to spend with family and friends.  But not surprisingly, after picking up where we left off, I always wanted more hours in the day to catch up, share our hearts or simply hang out.  So instead of appreciating what I did have, the collective moments were cloaked in a film of bittersweet.  Someone once told me that wishing you had more time — on a vacation or outing or whatever it was — is a good thing because it means you didn’t overstay your welcome.  I’ve been back from my travels for over two weeks now, and I still wish I had more time to reconnect and relax in the presence of those who have shaped me.  And although I plan to visit longer on my next trip, I’ll want more time.  But that’s a good thing.

Are you typically ready to pack it in when your time is up?