One of my intentions for this year
has been to find a balance between
working hard and stopping to smell
the roses. Sound familiar? I also
have recently come up against my
natural pattern of becoming exhausted,
frustrated, and disappointed when
things don't go my way, like business
or other projects. I'm continuing
to look at "The Secret -- the
law of attraction" and how
putting out too many expectations
and working too hard can lead to
burnout and a lack of results. It
reminds me of the time eight summers
ago when I felt frustrated that
I didn't seem to be able to attract
a wonderful partner in my life.
Finally, I surrendered and just
set a more modest, short-term goal:
just to have a fun summer. Two weeks
later, I connected a woman at a
lake party, we began dating, and
she became my wife. So, I'm curious
to see what's in store if I let
go and let his be my summer of surrender.
We talk a lot about surrender in recovery,
don't we? I'll be the first to admit
that my Type A personality is pretty
ingrained. I get bored easily, I
have lots of ideas for projects,
and I like to pack my days to the
brim. Sure, I become a couch potato
every now and then, but it's a real
challenge for me to "go with
the proverbial flow." It's
scary. It feels risky. Will my business
fade? Will the money run out? What
about all my great ideas and projects?
I've got "laziness" all
enmeshed with "letting life
come to me." I'm a mover, a
shaker, and I've already got a few
projects lined up for the Fall that
I need to do a little work on during
the summer. But, I worry, if I don't
stop to smell the roses, something's
going to stop me in my tracks and
make me slow down! Has that every
happened to you?
In this hurry/hurry life we often
lead, it's no wonder many of us
feel insane, neurotic, and addictive.
In Europe, especially in France,
they are known to take it pretty
easy during the summer. Many of
the French take off the entire month
of August and relax, travel, whatever.
Of course, some of the French have
to be working in the travel, tourism
and restaurant industry! I've also
read that the European tradition
of slowed down summers (as well
as the 37 hour work week) may be
falling by the wayside - largely,
to keep up with all the other countries
that have become workaholics.
So how do we slow down? Well, as a
self-employed person, I do have
the advantage of creating my own
work schedule but I also have the
burden of creating my own earnings
and business. I have monthly income
goals I like to meet but I'm also
aware that I can be more mindful
of my business expenses and personal
expenses. If I spend less, perhaps
I don't need to make as much to
live. So, while I have a few modest
trips planned this summer, I'm looking
at relatively creative and inexpensive
ways to relax and have fun. Walks
and hikes. Hanging out by pools
or lakes. Throwing and attending
parties. Reading. Writing.
Playing my guitar. Watching DVD's
at night. Cooking and going out
to restaurants. There's gotta be
a myriad of things to do - oh ...
and, just be.
My summer of surrender. I get excited
and nervous just thinking about
it. I'll be checking in during the
next few e-newsletters to let you
know how it's going. My 42nd
birthday is June 27th.
I have a Bar-B-Que planned with
family and friends and am really
looking forward to it. My summer
of surrender is one of the gifts
I am giving myself.
