Bring Balance to Your Life in Portland Oregon

Time To Enjoy

As a coach, I am hearing a lot of people saying that they don’t have enough time. And I have to say, how are you spending the time you have? If you enjoy creating projects for yourself, do you enjoy the process? Is that all that matters? Or is the end result enjoyable too?
I was walking down the street last Sunday and my neighbor was refinishing his front porch. This is his new project. The past couple of months he’s been working on his back deck and fence. My friend who lives next door to him has had to ask him to please stop using the power saw at 9 p.m. on a Saturday. So, I’m thinking if he’s always working, either at his Monday through Friday job or on his home at night and on the weekends, when does he have time to just enjoy what he’s created?
Spring comes, flowers bloom, and animals come out of hiding; Summer brings more flowers along with fruits and vegetables; Fall gives us beautiful colors and Winter provides a time for rest. Much of life follows a similar cycle. Athletes train and compete and then they rest. Accountants work long hours during tax season and then they rest. Medical residents work ridiculously long days for days at a time and then they rest. At least we hope they rest, it’s possible they simply crash.
When was the last time you spent a day in mindfulness? A day when you were aware of your breathing, a day when you smelled all of the fragrances around you, when you ate because you were hungry, chewed slowly and enjoyed every taste. A day spent in mindfulness will slow you down, clear your mind and bring amazing creativity. You will very likely have a new appreciation for life and realize that it’s the little things that bring you happiness.
Try it and email me, denise@parentandfamilylifecoaching.com. I’d like to hear what value if any came from this exercise.

To learn more about mindfulness I recommend writings by Thich Nhat Hanh.