Well, hey there folks!
Another Monday has arrived!
And we are just a few days away from Easter!
And just 42 days away from Memorial Day, which is what a lot of us like to denote as the “unofficial” start to Summer!
The time keeps on flying.
And it just ain’t slowing down.
But, while the time isn’t able to slow down, there is one thing that we are able to control.
And that is our ability to take time to smell the slow down.
What do I mean by that?
I mean find those moments in your life where you can take a deep breath and really enjoy the moments that are occurring around you.
Anyone who has known me or followed me over the years knows that I am constantly on the go, go, go.
And I mean…GO, GO, GO!
In all caps.
Between four jobs, trying to stay committed at the gym, and making intentional time with family and friends, it can be a complicated maze of hours jam packed into the paper planner where everything gets written down.
That’s right. You did read that correctly.
I still use a paper planner.
It’s like my Bible.
That means, the times where I have nothing scheduled on my days where the blocks on the planner are empty mean a lot to me.
A LOT.
They are crucial for my well-being.
This past Wednesday, during my weekly video call with Ryan, he could sense something was off kilter with my energy.
So, we took a few minutes to play some calm music in the background, closed our eyes, and involved the body in a breathing exercise of meditation that allowed me to re-center and focus on the breath of the body.
It gave me time to slow down and appreciate the moment and the happenings of life around me.
So, with that moment of re-centering in mind, I tried to take it with me during the rest of the week.
I stopped to smell the slow down by…
- Reading on the couch wrapped in a blanket with a candle burning.
- Relishing in the beauty of the Christmas tree. Yes, I still have it up. Judge away. It brings me joy.
- Crafting a fun Friday cocktail and enjoying a woman heroine Disney movie. That movie was Mulan in case you were wondering.
- Not setting an alarm for Saturday morning–a day where the block on the planner was EMPTY for the morning hours.
- Making coffee for myself and relishing in the quietness of my apartment while staring outside the window at the rainy clouds. It was so peaceful.
- Reminding myself that if I feel off kilter, taking a few minutes to close my eyes and inhale and exhale for a few deep breaths can be life-changing.
So, as we continue on with this Spring season, remind yourself that it doesn’t always have to be about stopping to smell the roses.
Find those moments for yourself where you can stop to smell the slow down.
Inhale.
Exhale.
You’ve got this.
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 