Balancing Act

I had one of those vivid dreams where everything is so detailed and real that you can’t stop thinking about it after you wake up...

I was at a large, dirty industrial site with offices in all sorts of different buildings. I checked into the front office and was told someone would show me how to change the oil in my car, and no I hadn’t been worrying about getting my oil changed. I was taken to a different office and was the only one in the room. I started organizing my things on a desk⎯for some reason. Later, someone came to take me to a new location. I hurriedly cleared the desk and gathered my things. I found myself sitting in yet another office by myself. I again started organizing my things on a desk. This pattern continued throughout the day only I had less time to get myself organized with each move I made. In the last office I realized it was getting dark, people had gone home and I still hadn’t learned how to change my oil. I woke up feeling confused and upset.

There was no big climatic ending, but as I continued to think about the dream⎯it finally dawned on me what it might mean:

I was so busy organizing, I somehow missed out on what was actually going on around me

or

I used the organizing so I didn’t have to deal with something else

Case in point⎯my book is written, and I find I keep organizing it, as it were, and not addressing the publishing aspect because it makes my head spin.

I am thinking that it’s one thing to unclutter my world and perhaps put a bit more organization into my life in order to move forward, but anything done obsessively is not good for anyone. There must be a balance. It is up to me to find the balance so I don’t miss out on what is going on around me, so I don’t use organizing in place of what I actually should be doing and so I don't waste valuable time trying to figure out what foot to stand on...

I will find a way to address the book publishing⎯break it down into smaller pieces and find my balance. What are your dreams trying to tell you?

Photo courtesy of star5112

April: I Intend to Unclutter My World

I will use the momentum I gained after last month’s intention of giving myself time to roll that intention into April. I will be giving myself time to unclutter my world in this year of intentional thinking.

An organized mindset allows my life to fall into place

Now that my spring fever is in full swing, I think it is a good time to clear out the old and allow the new to shine through. Like pulling weeds and debris off plants languishing underneath⎯allowing the new to shine through can be a metaphor for life, not just a garden task. That means getting rid of what I don’t need, and focusing on what I do need. I can think of a closet or two that will certainly get attention this month, but I also must consider clearing out anything toxic or negative from my mind, from my life. In other words, uncluttering my world includes the mental clutter taking up space and not just the things behind the closet door.

“Disorganization is often driven by anxiety and fear.”

 Paul Hammerness, MD

I think it is important to keep this concept simple. I understand the principal behind the uncluttering of my world, but it is easy to overlook the obvious and just keep the door closed. It is a constant process to keep on top of many things in life. I find it is okay to let things go from time to time until, that is, it is time to take control once again. This month that is just what I plan on doing, and I will remind myself of this each morning with, "I intend to unclutter my world."  I will embrace an organized mindset and allow my life to fall into place. How about you? Can you move beyond the anxiety and fear? Can you pull the weeds and debris off and allow the new to shine through?

Photo courtesy of Deb Collins

Eating to Live: Changing Course

Last year I began a journey that led me to explore food combining, gluten free (GF) and juicing in order to help my gut feel better while Crohn’s disease, or as I refer to it⎯Little Monster, reared its ugly head. For a time, all these dietary lifestyle changes seemed to work very well for me, smooth sailing⎯until the wind died and I needed to change course. After seven months, I was losing too much weight for my small frame (due to eating less starch) plus I began having the same digestive distress (cramping/constipation) I had prior to this dietary journey.

It all came down to this⎯current medication protocol and dietary changes were not working for me, and I could not afford to lose any more weight. The next step on the Crohn’s journey was a new medication protocol, and as my gastroenterologist put it, “Just EAT!” At this writing, the new meds seem to be working and I have indeed gained back the weight I lost.

As one does when sailing into new regions of life, I have continued to hold onto a few elements from last years dietary journey:

• I add carrot juice and a handful of spinach to my morning smoothies⎯great for digestion.
• I’ve cut down on the amount of starch I eat and sometimes choose to eat a starch that is gluten free.
• I found the most amazing and healthful GF cranberry/orange muffins at my local grocer. After Googling recipes with similar ingredients, and many attempts at tweaking various recipes, I came up with my own wonderful version.

WARNING: the following muffins are very good for you and you may just find yourself craving them because they taste so incredible. Even if you don't know a jib from a jibe when it comes to sailing, we all must learn to change course from time to time. It's what we pick up along the way as we sail through life that is most important. Bon appétit!

Photo courtesy of martinak15

The Zen of Friendship

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."

Elbert Hubbard 

Now that my ribs have healed, I went back to the slopes with no thoughts of out-of-control snowboarders. I was determined to become one with my skis once again. My Zen ski mindset could not have come at a better time. In a month of giving myself time, last week I gave myself time to be with friends.

Three of my ski buds and I went to Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, Canada. While we have skied together for eleven years, we have never gone away on a trip. We shared food, wine, stories, history, smiles, laughter, hot tubbing, more food, more wine, hugs⎯oh, and we skied! It was a celebration of friendship.

Friendship is a bond of caring, respect and love⎯friendship is gentle. 

On our ski trip, I could see our friendship growing. Yes, the skiing was fun, but moreover, the time we gave to one another in the spirit of friendship meant more than the skiing. We created snapshots in time we will cherish and not forget, for we had become one in friendship.

Photo courtesy of Scott Maxwell

Springing Forward

Spring is natures way of saying, "Let's party!"

Robin Williams

With the sun spreading golden rays of warmth and the carpet-cleaning technician working away on the floors of my home, I felt the pangs of spring fever come crashing in. With fresh and clean carpets, I wanted fresh and clean everything⎯inside and out. My mind started to race with thoughts of moving furniture, freshening drapes, washing windows, cleaning closets, vacuuming, dusting, and on and on. I know when I get this way, I even find myself smiling just thinking about fresh and clean. It’s like I have rose-colored glasses and all is just that⎯rosy.

This is the time of year when everything seems to sprout anew, start the cycle over and come out of the hibernation of winter. The birds are celebrating the season by singing their songs and flitting around from here to there as if they are trying to catch up on lost time. The tree frogs celebrate the season by croaking away fever-pitched each night as the sounds of spring gather to a cacophony of different beats. Spring fever for me is a big kick of motivation, and right now I am highly motivated to get moving with the rhythm of the season into spring.

As I spring the clock forward an hour, I will use the motivation that spring fever gives me, and allow it to gather momentum, as I move through spring and summer⎯ until it is time for me to let go and begin the slowing pace fall brings⎯and I gain back the hour of time I lost months ago.

So what are you waiting for? You’ve lost an hour⎯march forward and get your rosy rear in gear, BUT with all the momentum of the season you will be gathering, don’t forget to give yourself time...

Photo courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt