Living in the Midst of Life

Do you find yourself waiting for the time to be just right before you can get to that project or pursuit that you enjoy? You’re not alone. Oh, sure, you do the urgent things. You put out fires and do the laundry. You tend to work and family.

The question is not whether or not you will do what you have to do and what others expect. 

​The real question is whether you will listen to what your heart is whispering and do those things that are important but maybe not urgent. Those things that feed your soul. The things that you’ve been saving for a vacation day, a quiet time, retirement, another day, another life. The things that, in the doing, help you grow and learn and create a satisfying life – your best life.

Here’s the reality:

The time will never be perfect.

There will always be one more meeting to attend, carpool to drive, project to complete, errand to run.

Your calendar will rarely show glorious white space.

Your deck will never be totally clear.

Your ducks will probably never be in a row.

What. To. Do!?

Nike says “just do it”. We know that’s not always easy. There are years of habit that have trained us to do everything else first.

In the midst of the chaos and the heartaches of everyday living, where can you begin to live your best life?

Some ideas to consider.

• Cultivate minutes. They add up quickly. They build momentum. You only need a few minutes to start. If you had all the time in the world, what would you do? What is the tiniest first step you can take? Thinking about where to start is a perfect first step. It’s also very kaizen. Here’s a blog post that discusses the idea of kaizen.
• Use your calendar. I have actually scheduled blank, “white”, space in my calendar. Time for thinking or daydreaming or doing no “work”. Time for exercise or writing. I consider these activities essential for my overall well-being. Too often, I allow other things to take precedence. However, if it’s on my calendar I’m more inclined to honor the activity.
• Do you know someone who also has a hard time getting to those soul-goals? Buddy up and keep each other accountable. Join a master mind where you will join others to build a creative oasis, a space to feel inspired and engaged and to take time for yourself.
• Give yourself a permission slip to pick up that sewing project, take that art class, explore a degree, go to a concert, volunteer, work in the garden. Yes, literally, a permission slip just like your mom used to do.

 
Pause for a moment and imagine how it would feel to drop any hesitation and give yourself permission to listen to your heart’s song.

Listening begins with awareness of the fact that there is a voice inside you that speaks from the most honest part of you.

Listening can be as simple as being aware of what thoughts and ideas are bubbling to the surface and not dismissing them.

Listening can be as easy as being curious about what it would be like to follow that train of thought and see where it takes you.

Listening and acting on what you hear is not frivolous. It is essential to a life worth living.
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What song would your heart be singing if you stopped and listened? How will you create the space to get to it?

​#whatsyourstory #thirdage