Are you always hustling and bustling to get things done? Do you ever have to “make” yourself enjoy the little things in life?
Taking Time Out
Not too long ago, I was in Seattle for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance National Conference. After the conference ended on Sunday I put on my “tourist hat” and went exploring. I didn’t want to waste a moment of free time in Seattle by sitting down with my laptop and try to write my weekly Snippet – there was too much to see and not nearly enough time.
In fact, there was no writing to be had on Sunday, Monday or even Tuesday for that matter and by Wednesday I figured I might as well just let my writers block settle in until today.
Something else I do to help me enjoy the little things in life is how I start my mornings…
Morning Rituals
I love mornings. I’m an early riser even without an alarm clock. Oh, and that’s another thing, not to have to wake up to an alarm at 4:15 in order to be out of the house early enough to beat the traffic to my office downtown. I am truly grateful.
I meditate just about every morning, sometimes when I’m still in bed. First, I snuggle with the dogs for a few minutes and then I tune into Abraham-Hicks for a guided meditation. Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Mediation In Motion
Then, outside on the patio with my coffee, following by a bit of watering the flowerpots and a little deadheading – which is another form of meditation for me. The only frustrating ritual is the Japanese Beetle extraction. Frustrating because of the massive destruction in my rose garden that these beautiful little beetles have wrought, but oh so satisfying when I can capture the little fuckers and send them to their soapy-water grave.
Reading Time
One of my favorite pastimes when I was a kid was reading. Every summer I participated in the Summer Reading Program and I think I read ten or more books every summer. My love for reading continues today.
I haven’t been reading too much for pleasure recently, but lately I’m making time for it. Over the past month or two, I’ve read City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s fabulous! You’ve got to read it. I’m currently reading The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney. I’ve been reading this for a while. Unfortunately, I find it put-downable. Have you read it?
What do you recommend in the fiction department?
I also love Audible and I’ve listened to Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and The Beautiful No by Sheri Salta. These were both read by the authors and I enjoyed them thoroughly.
I’ve just received Radical Remission-Surviving Cancer Against All Odds by Kelly A. Turner, Ph.D. and The Power of Habit-Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg. I’m pretty sure I won’t enjoy reading these two books nearly as much as I did City of Girls, but I’m quite certain that I’ll learn plenty.
What do you recommend in the non-fiction department?
Other little things I like to enjoy….
Taking the little white dogs on a hike, playing a little gin, Jimmy’s likes to do a little fishing, and I´m super happy pursuing my new career.
Of course, there are things that just plain need doing, like remodeling the master bath and getting new carpeting – which also means restricting access to the little white dogs. (Holy shit!)
Ah, well, I´ll figure out a way to enjoy those things, too!
Tell me, what are you doing for fun today?
My name is Nancy McKay and I coach women, most of them are over 50, who are going though a major transition in their lives and don’t know what the hell happened. They’re feeling lost and afraid because they don’t know what their future looks like. I help them figure out how to feel happy and at peace with their life.
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