When Your Cup Is Full~ Stop Pouring!

Do you try to do more than you can handle?

Time is a strange concept. It seems that most people live according to some sort of time schedule, usually attempting to squeeze in more time than there is. They say things like, “I don’t have time” or “I wish there was more time.”The problem isn’t the amount of time in a day. Everyone has the same amount of time. The problem arises when people either agree to do too much because they have taken on more than they can handle or they don’t schedule enough, not making the time for what is important to them.

Do you take on more than you can handle and then feel stressed? Do you have a problem saying “No” or try to please everyone all the time? Trying to do more than you can handle is like pouring hot coffee into a cup that is already full. If you keep pouring, it will burn you. It’s all right to pace yourself, choosing to do what is important to you and not committing to everyone and everything that vies for your attention. Remember that if you are overworked and overstressed, then you won’t be much good to anyone. Practice setting boundaries and limits on how many things you schedule, and then you will have time to drink that cup of coffee!

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

~ Stephen Covey

Take a look at your life. Is it over scheduled with activities to the point where you feel that you don’t have time for self-improvement, creative endeavors, or quality time with loved ones? If you make a list of the top five priorities in your life, do you make time to attend to them? Decide what is important, schedule it, and then schedule the rest. You will be surprised at how much your life will be enhanced when you focus on what is truly important to you.

I periodically reevaluate my life and make a list of the five most important things to me. Right now, it’s peace of mind, relationships, my dogs, writing, and spirituality. Because these things are a priority to me, I make time for them first. Then I schedule everything else. As time goes on, the priorities will change and so will my schedule of activities. It is impossible to do everything and be there for everyone all the time. You must become aware of your limitations, scheduling no more than you can comfortably handle. If you over-schedule, you will become tired and stressed, which makes everything in life less enjoyable. When you get so caught up in the multitude of activities that you have committed to, you may end up neglecting what is most important to you.

Lesson:

When your cup is full, stop pouring!

Exercise:

Evaluate your schedule, and ask yourself, “What is important to me?” Make time for what matters most to you, and then schedule the rest. If a relationship is important, then schedule quality time together. If it’s your health, then schedule regular exercise routines and plan a healthy meal schedule. When you focus on what is important to you, you will feel at peace with your life and how you spend your time.

Do not take on more than you can handle in a balanced way. Taking on too much creates stress and imbalance in the rest of your life. Practice saying “No” when necessary.

Become aware of what is important to you, then make time for your priorities. Let the rest of your life be balanced with other activities that you have agreed to, but never more than you can comfortably handle.

You Never Have to Do Anything

Do you feel that there isn't enough free time in the day to do everything you'd like to do? Realize that everything you do is exactly what you have chosen to do, and therefore you should do it with all your heart. There is no "free" time, just time. You can either spend it in joyful awareness, or spend it wishing you were doing something else, building feelings of resentment. It's a matter of committing yourself to whatever you are doing at the time. Either do it with joy, or don't do it.

I used to resent doing housework, especially washing the floors.  Then I realized that I choose to do it, no one is forcing me to wash floors.  I choose it because I want clean floors.  Why should I resent doing something that I choose to do? Now I put the radio on and practice singing while washing.  It becomes a joyful chore.

I often hear people complain about having to take care of their parents, grandparents or children's needs.  "I have to take Johnny to karate and then help him with homework, I have no time for myself."  Well, actually, the time you have with Joey in the car is time for building your relationship.  The time you are waiting for his karate lesson is time you could be reading, meditating, or catching up on phone calls.  The time you are helping with homework, you are fostering a better understanding of your child and nurturing his academic growth.  What part of these examples is wasted time?  All of it, if you are doing it with resentment in your heart.   

Lesson:

You never have to do anything. What you do with your time is your choice.

Exercise:

Be free to experience your time with awareness and joy.  Don't be a victim of your ego mind telling you that you could be doing something else instead.  These types of thoughts create unease and stress. Realize that you are free to spend your time however you choose.  Time is always free, are you?

Remember to Relax

In honor of Labor Day let us be reminded of the importance of balancing work and relaxation. Many households need two incomes or multiple jobs to make ends meet. This can create stress and feelings of being over worked. Learn to incorporate mini relaxation breaks throughout the day to de-stress and relax. Here are some 5 minute break ideas:
* Get up and walk, going outside if possible. Even a... brief 5 minute walk will stretch your legs and boost your energy.
* Go outside and sit in the sunlight for a few minutes. Think of nothing but what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Relax.
* Rainy? Take a mini visual vacation: Sit somewhere with light, imagine yourself somewhere sunny, really FEEL the sunshine on your face, breathe deeply, energize, enjoy!
* If your job lacks socialization, take a few minutes to call someone to stay socialized. If your job involves an abundance of communication, take a few minutes to just be alone and breath deeply.
Happy Labor Day!

Laura Barrette Shannon

Is Your Life Balanced?

BALANCE- Be aware of the importance of balance. Too much or too little time spent working , being alone, playing video games, TV, web surfing, time spent on relationships, self improvement, health, finances, etc will throw the rest of life off balance. Evaluate your life. Is something way off balance compared to the rest of your activities? See if you can bring more balance to your schedule and you'll be amazed at how much more you will accomplish, and how much better you'll feel.
Be Happy, my Friends-
Laura Barrette Shannon

Bring Back the Family Dinner

One simple step to enjoying life is getting together with other people to share a delicious meal. This used to be the norm in most households. Families would eat together at dinnertime, sharing experiences of their day, elders passing down stories and wisdom to the younger generation. When I was growing up, we ate breakfast and dinner together on most days. When I had children of my own, I made it a point to have most dinners together as a family.  The TV was off, and the conversations were on!  

Family gatherings, which are the birthday parties, big Sunday dinners, holiday feasts, and such are also a dying art of human socializing. My husband's family of 11 children used to have a Sunday dinner at the Grandma's house every week. Of course this is back when people would actually take one day off a week to be with their family and friends, connect with God, and spend time in nature. Our culture is becoming so over complicated that people are forgetting how to just relax and be with each other without outside distractions and entertainment.

 If we make it a priority, we can bring back the family dinner. It takes a bit more scheduling, but people always make time for what they really want to do in life. I think this is one of those things worth making an effort to do on a regular basis.  Make a habit of sharing at least one meal a day with family or friends. It builds stronger bonds and makes a lifetime of memories. 

Be Happy, my Friends-
Laura Barrette Shannon

Do You Have the Time?

Art outside the Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersburg, FL

DO you have the time? Time is a strange concept. It seems like most people live their lives according to some sort of time schedule, usually attempting to squeeze in more time than there is. They say things like, "I don't have time." or "I wish there was more time." The problem isn't the amount of time in a day. Everyone has the same amount of time. The problem arises when people either agree to do too much because they have taken on more than they can handle, or they don't schedule enough, not making the time for what is important to them. 
Today, evaluate what is important to you and make sure that it is a priority on your schedule. Then, give yourself permission to let go of those activities that are of lesser importance to make room for what is. Enjoy your time doing the things you choose to do.
Be Happy, my Friends-
Laura Barrette Shannon

What Do You Say?

 "I have to do the dishes."

"I'm going to do the dishes and have fun doing them!"

‎"I HAVE TO ______" Do you have a habit of saying that you have to do something, such as "I have to do the dishes, go to work, make dinner, clean the house, give Grandma a ride, etc" When we phrase what we either need to do or choose to do with the wording "have to" it brings thoughts of wishing you were doing something else, which can lead to feelings of resentment or just not enjoying the time spent doing it. Watch how you use this phrase and learn to say, "I need to, I choose to, or I'm going to", which will keep your focus on free will. You are free to choose to enjoy what ever you do today! Do it with awareness and have a happy day! :)

Laura Barrette Shannon

What Is Important to You?

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.  ~Stephen Covey~

Take a look at your life. Is it over scheduled with activities to the point where you feel that you don't have time for self improvement, creative endeavors, or quality time with loved ones? If you make a list of the top five priorities in your life, do you make time to attend to them? Decide what is important, schedule it, and then schedule the rest. You will be surprised at how much your life will be enhanced when you focus on what is important to you. ?


My top priorities are:
1.  Peace of mind
2.  Relationships
3.  My dogs
4.  Health
5.  Creative endeavors- writing


Because these things are a priority to me, I make time for them.  It is easy to get so caught up in the multitude of activities that are vying for our attention that we neglect what is important to us.  Evaluate your schedule, and ask yourself, "What is important to me?"


Enjoy your journey~


Laura Barrette Shannon