What is it that you live for? Is there something that drives you to get up in the morning? Is there something that keeps you up late at night. Perfecting. Improving.
In my time in aerospace, I became familiar with a term ... continuous improvement ... there is always room to be better, to do things faster, more efficiently. To use fewer resources, to be cleaner, or more environmentally friendly.
Sacia (Say-sha) Flowers provides such an inspiration for determination and drive. The need to improve, but still remember where she came from.
I think this article totally speaks for itself! And there is nothing more I can add.
My daughter's wedding was Saturday. It was a sweet and pretty little wedding surrounded by friends and family. The grooms family is very nice and a lot of fun! I met them for the first time Friday night. Many family and friends that I have not seen in a long time! It is difficult to reconnect with everyone during those events!
I have to admit that I did not get to take it all in as well as I would have wanted as I was running around making sure the attendants were where they were supposed to be and that people had what they needed, and that questions were answered, and greeting people, and , and, and!
And it was all my own doing! I took on that role of coordinator, and photographer. It was fun and crazy and hectic. Just half hour before the ceremony, I finally got to have contact with my boyfriend. He is so calm, and rational! I love that! He just took me by the hand and said, "Breathe, in and out." And he breathed with me for a few minutes. I felt so much more focused after that! It still took a while for the adrenaline to settle out, and for me to really get calm, but his presence was pivotal!
Looking back, I don't imagine that I would have done it differently, unless the bride has assigned someone to be in charge, or requested that I just go sit and relax! That is just how I am. Even now, 3 days later, I am only just starting feel like calming down.
I think it is important for us to have people in our lives that can help see when we are getting off kilter, and get us focused again. I cannot say enough about BF for being such a gentle and calm port in my storm! Since having him in my life, I have really learned to see how wound up I used to be. I don't like how my body feels when it is so hyper! My heart races, and my blood pounds, I bet my blood pressure was through the roof! I cannot think and focus clearly. I do not see what is going on around me.
When I am getting myself wound up, and overactive, it is usually for legitimate reasons, but I do need to take care to take care of my body! Sometimes those events are not avoidable, and sometimes they are. I need to continually learn how to recognize the projects that I should stress over, and why.
So, this week, I am feeling the need to detoxify my body! All of that stress (even good stress), and anxiety, causes toxins to build up in the system. I make a tea with several loose herbal components that are available at the local health food store, or on line through reputable suppliers. I use this quite often, and have found it makes me feel cleaner, from the inside out.
Fill a 5 quart pan with water, and add a handful (about 3/4 cup) of alfalfa, nettle, chamomile, and 1/4 cup of burdock and dandelion root. I let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes, then strain out the herbs, and store in a pitcher in the fridge. Sometimes I will put a fruity herbal tea bag in the pitcher with the tea to add a little different flavor. I try to drink all of it with in 48 hours for the most cleansing effect. At other times, I drink it once or twice a day as one would with any iced tea beverage.
I am getting ready to try detoxing with bentonite clay, but want to do some research as to the benefits for MY body. This is crucial, as some herbals may not be what I need, and some can interact with medications (which I do not take) and some can inhibit medications or other herbals. It is important to be informed.
Moreover, it is unit finals at school this week! Consequently my mind has been full, and I am not getting all the things on my-to do list accomplished! Stopping to do a wedding errand on my way home today, I realized that I left my notebook on the table in the classroom at school to day! I hope someone turns it in, and I can have it back in the morning.
There really is nothing critical in there.It contains no personal information, or sappy love limericks, or anything like that. But, inner-mixed with the lecture notes are lists of "notes to self" reminding me to: send my aunt and uncle's anniversary card; and a list of items that need to be picked up at the store; and my spelling words written over and over and over and over (and over); a tentative schedule of when I am going to get my errands and chores and last minute wedding activities done; and what days I'm staying at school to get my homework for this week done; and a list of blog article ideas that are begging to be written!
It is very old-fashioned and very low tech, but this notebook is my sanity! It still functions when the power goes out. It cannot crash, or get a virus. There are so many great methods for keeping organized, but I have this year returned to some good old-fashioned basics. I have a purse sized paper calendar that I keep ... in my purse, I write entries in pencil so if they change I can erase them and reschedule. I have a little note book that I carry (unless I leave it at school) so that I can make notes, or lists.
My lists are sometimes scribbles, and sometimes concise. Sometimes they look like journal entries. No matter how I put them down, I know the important thing is that I do. So many times have I thought to myself, oh! I will remember that! Then a short time later only remember that I remembered that I was supposed to remember something! I know that I am not alone in this.
In fact, I totally credit my dad with my being a list maker. He was a school custodian for as many years as I was in school, and he always carried a 3x5 top-spiral note pad in his breast pocket. He could just add the next reminder to the bottom of the list, marking off the items as they were completed. When all of the tasks on a page were attended to, he could tear off the page. He taught me about grocery shopping with a list (never go with out one)! Have your list. Know your store. Get in.Get your stuff. Get out. Don't look. Don't wander. I will talk more about grocery shopping in another post.
What a great visual sense of accomplishment it is when I cross things off my list! I like really being able to see what I have done and finished. I have even found myself adding things I have done that were not on the list, just so I could cross them off, and SEE what I had done!
Therefore, I want to encourage you! If you don't yet list, try starting a little one. Start where you are, and just make a list. A grocery list. A list of chores you want to accomplish before lunch. All the steps you take in cleaning the bathroom. Make a list of the types of things it might help you to list. Whatever, it really does not matter. Being a little more organized will make you feel more in control, and help you know which task to approach next.
