Pause
The thrill of discovering new places and meeting new people entices me to travel as much as possible. Although it has been awhile since I explored Fijii, New Zealand and then Australia twice on my own, I make a point of finding new places to visit closer to home. My passion for travelling leads to self discovery that happens when I am away from the busyness of my daily life. As much as I appreciate the benefits of slowing down on purpose, this choice is something that does not come naturally for me. My first instinct has been to fill my life as full as possible.....multi-tasking was my middle name. Maintaining a healthy balance in my life means I need to plan pauses in my life.
I learned the importance of working hard at a young age. Watching my Mom when I was growing up, I admired her strength and independence. My Dad worked hard on the dairy farm and my Mom did everything else – raising the children (us and others she babysat), cleaning, cooking, shovelling snow, fixing shelves & lights, all of the gardening and more. Recently my Mom shared with me, “Taking time for me is something I never did and have had to learn.”
The cliché, “Stop and smell the roses,” seems to be old fashioned, yet, upon close inspection, it is more important now than ever. In order to smell the roses, one must stop. Pausing is stopping temporarily. I love the smell of the magnolia trees in the spring and often stop while walking to smell them, also noticing the magnificent colours on the petals and hearing the birds chirping. Psalm 46:10 reminds me, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Pausing improves my overall health – body, mind & spirit. Choosing when and how to say, “NO!” to family and friends is essential. I am learning to schedule “Pause Time” in my agenda. That way pausing is something I want and need to do for myself rather than something I “fit in” if there is time. Taking care of me is my responsibility. For my body, I make healthy meals, drink lots of water, take naps when I need more sleep and exercise. Reading and listening to music are calming for my mind and spirit. Visiting friends and talking on the phone are also great activities provided I balance them with time alone. By selecting an activity I enjoy, it allows me to reflect and evaluate my dreams and goals.
This summer I chose to pause as much as possible. It wasn’t an easy choice but it was the best one. Pausing has given me more time to focus on my priorities – prayer, taking care of me, spending time with my fiancé and hanging out with friends and family. I feel more relaxed and energized.
Doing yoga stretches and Nordic Walking are two of my favourite activities to keep me healthy. They benefit my body, mind and spirit. I experience less stress, more flexibility, improved posture and balance, toned muscles and an opportunity to pause and take care of me. I consider it a blessing to share the benefits of Yoga and Nordic Walking with my students. The ironic balance is the more I take care of myself, the more energy I have to give to others.
Louisa Phillips 2010 |
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