Where does the time go??

Has it really been over 3 weeks since I logged on to my blog? Sometimes I am overwhelmed by just how fast the time goes by. This is especially true as we approach the holidays! Before we even realize it, we will be approaching New Year's day. So, my question is, what can we do to slow down and be more aware of what is going on around us? More specifially, how can we accomplish all of the tasks before us AND stay in the moment?

One thing that comes to mind that has helped me in the past to really stay present and attend to the myriad of responsibilities that we all have is to create a list of daily personal practices. These "routines" can be small acts that we commit to on a consistent basis so that over time, we can actually change our behavior or have success creating a new one. For example, it is really important for me to practice being grateful and remember to thank the powers that be for all that I receive in life. In order to actively do this, I have started a gratitude journal which I write in a few times a week. This allows me to have some quiet time for reflection on a consistent basis while helping my brain to be more aware of all I have to be thankful for. (Sometimes the brain can easily forget!) This practice also helps me stay focused on my values.

So, what personal practice would work for you? Would you like to incorporate meditation or a weekly yoga class to help keep you relaxed? Is there a quiet place you can visit every so often to help you recharge? How about a monthly manicure or massage? (That would be awesome, yes?) Whatever it is, just remember it is not so important that you do your new routine for long time spans--the consistency of your action is key to forming the habit. Just the act of setting an intention for the day may be all you need to keep yourself anchored during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

How different could your day be if you simply declare that you are going to have a stress-free enjoyable day? Setting intentions allows you to take the power back--It reminds you that your day is your own! We may not be able to slow time down but we can certainly take back the moments, become more aware of what we are choosing for ourselves and create some space and breathing room to call our own.

A COACHING MOMENT:

"Is the life I'm living the life that wants to live in me?"
---Parker Palmer


What does this quote mean to you?
Does it lead you to another question?
Is there anything to uncover?

"How many people are trapped in their everyday habits: part numb, part frightened, part indifferent? To have a better life, we must keep choosing how we are living."---Einstein

How often do we forget that this adventure on Earth is a continual process of growth and learning. Every moment of everyday we are given the chance to choose. Will we fall back on the way we were and continually make the same choices and think the same thoughts that we did 5 years ago, 5 weeks ago, 5 days ago? Or will we take our consciousness back and make a decision based on the now. Will we consider new possibilities, entertain new ideas and even contradict ourselves? Will we allow a new pathway to form in our brains that may result in a new way of living?

For the longest time, my life revolved around approval. I needed everyone to like me and support everything I was doing all of the time. One critical word would send me over the edge into the "land of obsessing". How many decisions did I make based on my need for everyone to like me? Tons. Where did that put me? At the mercy of everyone with an opinion.

While it has been a work in progress, I can confidently say that by evaluating what is important to me and CONSCIOUSLY taking action in that direction, I have been able to more fully live my life. With each new day, I have the chance to choose my actions based on a new set of values. And these values are the best ones I can live by because they are my own.