Yesterday was kind of a write-off day. I won't say "wasted", because down time can be a good thing, too, but essentially it was a lot of laying around. There were things that I had wanted to do but I wasn't up to it physically or mentally. There's always tomorrow, right?
Except - one day there won't be... Life can change in an instant and, even if it's not death that alters it, events can transpire that make "tomorrow" so unlike your previous tomorrows, that it's an entirely different existence.
Which makes a VERY good case for doing what matters NOW, in the moment, while you can. As I ease into this new year I am evaluating what matters most, and attempting to organize my life around that.
I had an idea along about Thanksgiving that I would spend Christmas week doing some soul-searching and prioritizing and "life mapping", but that did not happen. Some of what I did instead was worthwhile, some was pure procrastination, plain and simple.
What is it about our "ruts" that makes us think that we're comfortable there? What are we fearful of when setting out to change - a habit, a thought pattern, a schedule, or a life? I'm theorizing that if we could break down the fears to their least common denominator they would fade away, because they're truly baseless and inconsequential.
One of the things that I know holds me back is the head games that I play with myself. Calendars and timelines that are not mine, but possibly the "normal, usual" ones accepted by the society that I live in have a way of taking precedence over my own rhythms and reasons.
This year I want to honor my own drummer. What truly makes my heart beat faster, wilder? What makes it skip a beat? Those are the things that I want to pursue!
The mundane "slog" that just thumps out an existence is NOT where I want to spend my time! Guilt over missing a deadline (like January 1 for the "resolutions") will be a thing of my past, as well...
I can take my time and assess things as I go about my days: what's working? what isn't? what will improve the task, the mood, the meal, the interaction and so, ultimately, the Life? I can take notes as I notice things and use them in my morning writing sessions to do the real work of aligning my daily actions with my core beliefs.
"The unexamined life is not worth living" - or something like that... Sounds harsh and cataclysmic, but seeds of truth and a prompt for better...
"What you focus on expands" is more hopeful (and helpful). Learning where to put that focus is the key to being more productive, more engaged, and much, much happier.
As I am assessing and prioritizing and all the rest of it, there are two definites that I want to pay attention to: a morning routine and a before-bed routine. I feel that book-ending my days in ways that are meaningful to me will go a long way in creating a space between the two that is more likely to be filled with meaningful things, as well.
So - that's my Grand Plan for 2017! Further bulletins as events warrant... May your New Year be filled with all the things that matter most to YOU!
Love and light ~ Sue
Thanks for this...I needed this for some motivation for changes in my life. Well written, Sue. OK if I read this in my friendship group?
Posted by: Jeanne H | January 03, 2017 at 09:23 AM
Absolutely, Jeanne! Thanks for deeming it worthy... ;)
Posted by: Sue | January 04, 2017 at 02:50 PM
This is how I am feeling about this year! Love ya chica!!
Posted by: Erin G | January 05, 2017 at 09:54 PM
Wise words. Looking forward to 'stealing a few' to guide my future days. Always enjoy your musings, layered as they are with promise, direction and hope. Looking forward to the updates on how it's going for you.
Posted by: Lu C | January 07, 2017 at 02:42 PM