A weekly tradition where we pop the cork on the week that was, celebrate what worked, reflect on what didn’t, and look forward to a sparkling new week of possibility. I hope you’ll join me and share your reflections in the comments.
What am I celebrating?
This week I spent a few days with my friend Meryl & her family husband, Rob, and boys Liam (6) & Ryan (2), in Sydney. The last 18 months have been “tough” on this young family, since Meryl was first diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Let's put tough into perspective – Meryl has had a lung removed, 8 weeks ago a brain tumour, and more recently a tumour in her spine, not to mention the treatment, medication & many many tests. Today I celebrate the spirit, hope & love of this family who live in the moment and have learnt to “be”.
What am I acknowledging?
My efforts to “be” in the moment. As I wrote last week I am person attached to my habits and routines and my days are very well planned. So leaving these behind to live in another's space, staying with Meryl and her family, upsets my apple cart a little. I tried to find an equilibrium where I balanced my need for activity with “being”: I went for a couple of runs and attended a meeting in a nearby suburb that required me to navigate Sydney peak hour traffic (yikes), but also simply sat with my friend, endeavored to be more patient with her children then I am with my own, and took the opportunity to do things (including nothing at all!) as they came up (without all the planning).
What was missing?
Productive work time. This has been missing over the past few weeks. With the Easter break, school holidays and the past few days away, my time to focus on work has been significantly reduced. I am also aware that the next two Mondays are public holidays in Queensland so for me another couple of work days lost. I am keen to sink my teeth back into a couple of projects that are important steps my quest to launch a big project. I connected with this quote shared by Kay Marco of Hectic Helpers: It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Never mistake activity for achievement - Mabel Newcomber
What small change can I make to have more of that next week?
Be disciplined in my focus in working on the two projects. Do not get distracted by emails, posts, reading or the many many other attention grabbing (sucking) things out there. I am responsible for being disciplined. This week I will not make excuses, I will do what is important (my heart is beating a little faster in sharing this – it is all on me).
Ready to pop the cork with me? I’d love to hear about your week in the comments… Image by nImAdestiny
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Congratulations for sticking to your committment from last week & turning off your computer. Restful sleep makes a big difference. Have re-read your thoughts on the seasons of life – wonderful way to think about life & where you are at with it & in it.
Jo, thanks for sharing with us about your week and the moments you have celebrated, things you have focussed on and areas of your life you will be working on in the next week.
What am I celebrating?
I am celebrating the fact that I actually got to turn my computer off at 9.30pm each evening this week. This did take some discipline and I was well rewarded with more restful sleeps, energy and creativity throughout the day. I am also celebrating “thoughtfulness” and how when it is expressed to you it can make such a difference to your day and really refresh you. Unexpectedly this week my boss gave me a beautiful bunch of flowers and said “this is to say thanks for all you do to make my day flow smoothly”. It was such a lovely surprise and really did make my day. I got to thinking about being thoughtful and how in the activities of life this important expression of thanks or care can so easily slip into the background. I am celebrating that there are people around me who take the time to express their thoughtfulness to me regardless of how busy they are.
What am I acknowledging?
This week I am acknowledging that there are seasons in my life and womanhood and that when I am tuned into and acknowledge these seasons my life takes on a different flow. At the moment I am acknowledging I have been driving myself quite hard with high expectations and the mindset that if I don’t keep pushing myself forward I will not get the results I want. I had an “aha” moment this week when my instincts told me it was time to ease up a bit on the pressure I have been putting on myself and to not fear what this might mean to unfinished tasks or the success and development of my business. I acknowledged that I had been in a season where excessive drive and pushing myself forward was needed. Now I am entering a season where my life and womanhood is going to be best served by settling into more contentment, recognising my limitations and working within them, and being very confident that this season will still produce results; good things and resources will still flow toward me and I will reach my goals with energy to spare and a deep sense of fulfilment. I can see you are in a different season Jo and I feel part of our living savvy is to recognise the seasons we are in, acknowledge them and flow with them and see where they take us.
What was missing?
Definitely time for fun and playfulness was missing for me this week. For me remembering to have fun in life and to be “playful” is an integral part of my energy and vibrancy. Can you remember when you were a young girl and what it meant to you when the homework was finished and you got the time to play with your best friends? You would have been doing the things you love to do with friends you talked to about anything and everything. You were probably laughing and giggling over the smallest thing. I have been missing making time for my friends. To laugh and relax with them and do things with them that are totally enjoyable and fun for me.
What small change can I make to have more of that next week?
Reignite my commitment to having and attitude of fun and “playfulness” in the midst of my commitments and responsibilities. Make time for myself to do some things that I love to do – not what someone else would like me to do and to touch base with one of my close friends to arrange a time to chill out together.