When Amy was three Rich and I took her to Oaxaca in Mexico. We had an amazing trip and saw some beautiful sights but when we talk about Mexico, Rich always teases me gently about my inability to ‘let go’ even on holiday. While other people were still playing in the pool really making the most of their vacation, I would have the three of us showered, dressed and eating dinner super early. I had a vision in my head of what time things were supposed to happen and was determined that my schedule would not slide even on holiday. I was a woman on a mission.
I am pleased to be able to write that I have definitely mellowed since then to the point that I am less schedule driven and more focussed on mindfulness and really trying to experience everything to its fullest when we travel. I still, however, find it difficult to relax when we are at home. This summer I have spent a lot of time ticking off items on my various to – do lists. As a result I have successfully tried new recipes, baked, decluttered,tidied and cleaned and of course I have had plenty of planning work to do too that I brought home with me for the holidays. I have kept myself pretty busy most of the time, often being just as tired at the end of the day as if I had physically been in to my workplace. Now I love the sense of accomplishment that I get from completing items on my to do lists- I really believe that one of the secrets to my personal happiness lies in being intentional and purposeful but I also know that I need to ‘let it go’ more often and take time out to relax and just be.
Yesterday I did just that. Lucy and I dropped Amy off at training and then we went down to the beautiful beach at Maraeti and just sat under a big old tree on a blanket for three hours. It was blissful. We cuddled and chatted, I read back over some of my journal entries, we played checkers and just watched the birds and enjoyed being by the ocean. It reminded me again how important it is to take time out for relaxation- to let go of schedules and lists and just be in the moment and I am determined to try and practice it more often.
Breadthoflife 