The Winners Take Naps

*You can watch or listen to this post here.

I’ve noticed something about myself lately, and I don’t like it. From the minute my feet hit the floor in the morning until the moment I let my feet glide under the covers of my bed, I feel like I’m running.

​I rush to beat the clock in the morning, mostly because I straight up refuse to get up during the 5 am hour. (I was not made for being up early in the morning, and I’m okay with that.) I throw breakfast back so fast, it’s rare that I actually remember what it tasted like. When I drive, I have to set my cruise control, or you can bet I’m going to have an encounter with a cop.

​My days continue in this can’t-get-there-fast-enough manner. I’m rushing to get interviews scheduled, calls made, articles written, track down the next client.

​When my work day is done, an unending list of household chores runs through my brain on repeat.

​Vacuum the house.

Make supper.

Water the plants.

Do the dogs have enough water?

You’ve got time - throw a load of laundry in.

Wait, there’s still laundry to fold from last week?

​I don’t want to be this busy. I want life to slow down. How are we already a full week into October??

​Stop me if this sounds familiar

I know of a woman - I’m sure we all have this person in our lives - who loves to talk about how busy she is. She’ll rattle off all the different things she’s been doing or working on during her day, while I stand there smiling politely, secretly counting how many of my own things are not getting done.

But guess what?

​There’s no prize for the person who is busiest. There’s no trophy for the person who did the most things in a day. There’s no reward for those who can’t say no.

​The winner of this life goes to the person who learns how to scale back - their time given to projects their heart isn’t in, their money squandered on app after app to be able to watch all the series, even though there’s not time enough in a person’s lifetime, and their energy drained on events that mean nothing.  

​The winners take the time to go out for lunch with their friends. They know how to take naps,  how to take long walks, and that they should absolutely never ever walk by a friendly dog without stopping to pet them.

​They look around and appreciate the views. Right now, we have colors surrounding us in great bursts. Have you stopped to look? I have only had time for short glimpses, but that’s going to change.

​Always back to this

My Simple Abundance book has the answer, as always…

“When we succumb to workaholism, what’s really happening is that we’ve lost faith in Spirit’s willingness to help us achieve success. We’ve separated the secular from the spiritual. Asking for Grace doesn’t seem as practical as working round the clock.

​When was the last time Spirit accompanied you to work?

​When was the last time you asked It to?”

​Here’s to a week of looking around, sitting in silence (just for a bit), and taking note of the many blessings we take for granted on a daily basis.