Energy

Interesting thing about energy.  It can give you a boost, or it can bring you down.  When you are excited about your day, your job, your life there is a feeling that anything is possible.  And when your day isn’t going well, your job isn’t fun or challenging and your life seems dismal, your energy will be one of feeling depleted.

There are things we can’t change.  Sometimes the job is just work.  Sometimes the day is frustrating and boring, and sometimes our lives seem like there is more bad than good.

So, my thought is what can we do to keep our spirits up, our mood elevated and our overall outlook rosier?

My good friend shared with me that she did something today that she hasn’t done in quite awhile.  She sat in a quiet room and listened to a few hours of classical music.  She wasn’t productive.  She didn’t accomplish anything.  She did however, come away feeling upbeat, and rejuvenated and said to me, “That was good for my soul.”

So, what are you doing that is “good for your soul?”  Think about what things you can incorporate in your day, in your week, in your life that gives your energy a boost.

Those People

I was talking with a friend the other day.  It was the weekend and all she really wanted to do was kick back, watch TV and basically do nothing.  She got several invitations to go for a meal, a party and a movie.  She was telling me that she really didn’t want to do any of those things.  She also told me she thought she should.

I asked her if she was depressed.  She said no.  I asked her if she was happy with her choice to just be a ‘slug’.  She said yes.  So, I asked her “Why do you feel you should accept these invitations?”  Basically her answer was because she thought she should.

I would like to know who decided how much time we should devote to work.  How much time we should devote to play.  And, how much time we should devote to being productive.

We all should be monitoring ourselves.  Not defending or apologizing for how we allocate our time.  Of course, if all we are doing is working, or all we are doing is playing, then our lives do get out of balance.

But where is it written that the percentage of how we make these choices ‘should’ be a certain number?

I have to say that it is a pet peeve of mine that so many judge the activities and choices others make when it comes to down time.  If I want to play Words With Friends for hours, who is it hurting?  If someone else prefers to watch mindless TV shows during their relaxing time, who is it hurting?  And, if someone wants to take an afternoon nap?  Who is it hurting?

I believe we need more rest and relaxation time.  Time to let our minds wander.  Time to use our imagination.  Time to get lost in a good book.  Who said we have to be productive all the time?  That is, UNLESS we choose to.

Balance

If only finding balance was this easy and fun

There is no question that our world has become more complicated.  While many are enjoying a longer life, and a healthier lifestyle, we are also more stressed and frustrated than ever before.

Finding the balance isn’t always easy.  Children are over scheduled, parents seem over worked and most people try to fit 25 hours into a

24-hour day.

I have talked with many friends on what it means to find the middle.  How do we all balance the many demands that are made on us, and the many demands we make on ourselves?

Bills do mount up.  Laundry does need to be done.  Homework has become so complicated that parental involvement is required.  Wanting to provide a nutritious meal and quality family time does require planning and patience.

At the end of a day there seems to be little time to really kick back and slow down.  I think for most people it is finding moments here and there to take a breath, and just relax.  And, as I write this, I think this has become a luxury.

Perhaps what we should do is schedule into our very busy lives a time each day where we can reflect.  Where we can be with our thoughts and just unwind. 

Sound like a good idea to you?