Have too many things on your plate these days?
I do. After my busy mind woke me at 3 AM, I had a tough time getting back to sleep. Definitely in a tizzy.
Webster defines tizzy as “a highly excited and distracted state of mind, origin unknown (1940).” (Makes me wonder…before 1940, did people have fewer tizzies?)
Anyway, my crazed state was a strong reminder for me to get real and practice what I preach: find an oasis in my overwhelm. How?
Pause. Get clear. Take action.
So, before rushing into writing this blog and tending to all my other “must-do” stuff, I sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of jasmine tea. I gave myself 60 seconds to breathe, and hang out with a few questions. I asked myself:
What is one thing I am thankful for – right now –
- About my body? I know it’s getting older and has aches – but/and what is one thing I appreciate about it right this minute…
- About my mind? It’s cluttered, yes, and doesn’t always remember everything – but/and…one thing I really am thankful for about it…
- About my current life situation? ….
After I jotted down my responses, I took another 60 seconds to “breathe them in.” It gave me time to notice where I felt each appreciation. Then I fed that wiring in my brain/body.
Those two 60-second breaks worked for me. I hope they work for you.
If you’d like some extra Oasis in the Overwhelm tips for the upcoming holidays, come to my Take the Jangle out of the Jingle Season workshop on December 14 in New Haven.
I invite you to respond to my Survey question: What’s your single greatest fear of challenge regarding stress? Your response will help me plan my 2018 online course. Thanks ahead of time!
Warm wishes for a thanks-full Thanksgiving to you and family. Pay it forward!