Relax
We all know that rest, relaxation and meditation are important for our health. But do we actually give ourselves permission to act on this knowledge or do we believe that we have to be productive to be worthy? As I was getting ready to write this section, I felt the need to lie down for a few minutes in order to do a special breathing exercise that helps me move pain through my body and release it. I had just begun when the phone rang. My first impulse was to get up and answer the phone. Then I thought about what I was writing, controlled my urge to take care of someone else instead of relaxing and helping myself. Then I started to think logically. I realized that the phone call was probably someone wanting to sell me something and even if it wasn’t, it could wait 10 minutes. And then I thought about the friend who had earlier in the week told me that she felt guilty about taking a nap even though she really needed it. Do we ever feel guilty about working when we should be resting? Probably not. We seem to have gotten into a mode of believing that work is more important than rest and ultimately more important than our own health and longevity.
Rest
The fact is that our brain can only function at high levels for 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a time and then it needs about a 10 minute break so it can regain its energy. Most of us are working longer hours than we need to. We can actually accomplish more in less time if we allow ourselves the time we need to rest and rejuvenate. Taking these short breaks also allows the brain to work “behind the scenes” on an unconscious level. When you come back to the task at hand, you can move more quickly and with better results. Some of my clients have been amazed at the increase in their business and income as they learn to take more time to rest, relax and have fun.
And the other part of this truth is that we don’t have to do everything by ourselves. The most powerful partnership is the one with the spiritual realm. But if we think that we have to do it all ourselves, we don’t give the universe any space to help us. If you are praying for help, you actually have to step aside and give God an opportunity to help you. That means taking time off of work so God can step in and provide the help you need and want.
Meditate
A few years ago I was preparing a speech and feeling very stuck. I couldn’t find the center of it and just kept bumping up against a brick wall. I was very frustrated. Although the amount of time I had to prepare was shortening, I did what seemed to me at the time to be very foolish. I walked away from my desk and went to dance tango. To my surprise, when I got home, the speech almost wrote itself. I experienced first-hand what I’m describing to you. I needed to give my brain a rest, relax and then I came back renewed, refreshed and dynamic.
Actually, although I didn’t understand this at the time, dancing Argentine tango gave me the same benefit that meditation would have. It was actually one of the ways that I learned to focus my attention and let go of distracting thoughts. As I shared in our show on tango, it’s really a walking meditation. And one that I highly recommend.
To Do Lists
I’ve had a lot of fun in the last couple of weeks discovering a new form of meditation. It’s been snowing more than usual in Dallas. What that means is that we’ve had a few days of snow. I find fresh falling snow absolutely beautiful. Since the city does not have snow removal equipment, Dallas pretty much comes to a standstill when it snows. The fun part for me was just watching the falling snow. I found it mesmerizing and totally relaxing. The white snow covered the bushes, trees and rooftops, creating a painting in front of my eyes. I found myself glued to the view outside my living room window with no concern for what had to be done that day because really most things don’t have to be done when we think they do. We create artificial deadlines and make ourselves feel good as we check items off of our “to do” list. So maybe we should write to do lists that say: relax, rest, meditate, listen to the wind, watch the birds, meditate on the falling snow. Maybe then we could check it off our list and actually allow ourselves to feel good about taking time for ourselves.
