FOOD FOR THIS MOMENT

If we give this moment all that we've got, what do we do with the next one?

This was the caption for the "Between Friends" comic strip in Sunday's newspaper. The caption reminds me of a Zen Buddhist koan which is a tale to help someone reach Zen enlightenment.

Here's a second course of "more-food-for-thought":

The Delicious Strawberry

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger chased after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.
Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!

Any thoughts?

UNTETHER YOURSELF FROM OVERCOMMITTED WAYS

In this moment, I'm reflecting on how healthy and wise it is to allow ourselves to not seek out perfection.

For some people, this isn't difficult; for others it's nearly impossible.

• Why do we place such high standards on ourselves? When we work through lunch do we really accomplish more or do we put our health at risk and ultimately become an unhealthy worker and individual?

• When we invite friends over for dinner, do we work so hard at the planning that when the guests finally arrive, we are too tired or stressed out to enjoy their company?

• Are we held hostage to a rigid list of obligations that we don't find time to rest and recharge every day?

• Do we pack so much into each day that we rush from one thing to another not enjoying or fully experiencing any part of the day? 

• Do we find ourselves yelling more at our children then smiling, hugging and snuggling? 

• Does making money really make us feel more secure?

Allow yourself to say no when you really want to. You'll be healthier and happier. Be someone who lives a balanced life.

A happy individual enjoys life and makes time to appreciate everything about it.

Untether yourself from hectic patterns and an overcommitted calendar.

Small steps are allowed...

SHAKE OFF THE SHOULDS

I've been following a parenting blog and I liked what I read since I am trying to eliminate "should" from my vocabulary.

The post was describing all of the "shoulds" that parents feel they should do or be. For example, my kid should be a part of this or I should sign my kids up for this so that they can learn this or my kid should be getting these grades or playing with this kid or should, should, should...

The blogger reminded me that we don't have to really do anything we don't want to do.
Make your choices on your own. Do want feels right for your child, for your family.

Don't "should on yourself."

BEING OVER SCHEDULED IS OVER VALUED

I'm reflecting right now on how I spend my time.

Our lives are made up of just moments..... that add up to time. So how we spend those moments are incredibly important, I think.

I'm considering, very carefully and very cautiously, how I choose to spend my time. As much as I work hard to not be overscheduled, I find myself there once again. No matter how much or how little I work.

What things are absolutely critical? For me having a balance in my life is most important. A balance between eating well, exercising, sleeping, and doing those things I enjoy most like spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking and doing an art project.

Taking the time to say "no" to things you don't really feel are a priority is the first step. Don't make decisions out of guilt.

Being under scheduled is under valued.

As the Chinese proverb says, "Outside noisy, inside empty."