Sunday, December 11, 2016

Perspective

A few weekends back I was able to get off the grid and just be. I 'unplugged' for the most part, from my devices. And had a few days of complete, and necessary relaxation. 

I didn't think about the office, what needed to be done at the house, if one of the kids needed something from me, or for that matter if my husband did either. It is a rare event, and so blissful when it occurs.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the things on my 'to do' list. I wonder how I will ever get through it all. I have a list on my desk in the office, another running tally I send myself from the train as I commute into work for the things I realize I forgot. I have another more permanent list of items in my notebook of tasks that take much more time as these are large, multi-month projects. And those are just the lists I have at the office. There is a whole other set of them for the house, the kids and when I get time ... my hobbies. The things that help me relax. Yes, I have a list of things for relaxation. 

I find that sometimes I lose my balance in life. While it is important to know where you are going, you can't see your footing without looking down --- that momentary glance to see where you stand. It is a shift in perspective from seeing the world as you move through it, to focusing on your next move. Not the move for tomorrow, next Tuesday or next month. But within the next few minutes, perhaps the next hour. Truly just living in the moment. No lists. I nearly missed this amazing sidewalk sculpture as I was walking the eclectic streets of Woodstock. Someone had installed a short little path of cement leaves, but I was busy looking at the store windows trying to decide if I would go inside. 

15 comments:

  1. Really lovely leaves! Glad you took that moment to look down. =) I agree that totally going 'off the grid' is so refreshing. I'm still getting used to being back home and all the extra hustle and bustle, even though we've been back a week!

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  2. I had been wondering about you since you've been 'quiet'. Glad you were enjoying some time away from your lists! I need to do that because I think I've forgotten how to relax. Lovely leaves!

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  3. I'm so happy you looked down! and so sorry you have all those list, I used to make them and then I stopped.
    Hope the downtime was very good.

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  4. The beauty is that quite a bit of being in the moment is under our control. While unplugging for days is wonderful, we can always unplug for shorter periods of time too. Even just 10 minutes to stop and breath, or listen to a bird singing, or watch a sunset, is a great way to gather and fortify inner peace. I am really glad you have a list for relaxation, that's a wonderful thing!

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  5. The leaves are nice, but that looks like bare earth in-between, which could get a bit muddy in the wet.

    I cannot ever unplug, I always have a couple of spare tasks up my sleeve, even if it's only finishing a new book.

    I dread retirement, and that should be about 13 months away.

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  6. I totally get that overwhelming feeling. Glad that you managed to "unplug" for a while. Hope you feel more balanced. Those leaves are amazing!

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  7. Wow very pretty!!!!
    Have a good week!!!!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  8. Yes, it's important to stop and smell the roses, isn't it. Wishing you more moments like that!

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  9. Thank you for this reminder Cynthia. I am obsessed with my to do list every day. I need lists or I forget to do certain things. However I need to be better at living in the moment. Somethings I have always struggled with. The only time I am good at it is when I am traveling, away from work, home, etc. That sidewalk is amazing! Functional art.

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  10. Love that sidewalk and I'm glad you had a chance to get away from it all for a few days. There's so much to do. I don't remember adults in the 70s having this much stuff going on.

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  11. I was wondering where you were! You have been missed!
    I'm happy you were able to get off the grid and just be! This is so important!! An important message for all of us! We have to live!!!
    That sidewalk is amazing!!
    Big Hugs!

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  12. It is certainly nice to be unplugged for a while...I may do that after Christmas :)

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  13. The leaves are lovely! It is good to be able to take time to just be.

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  14. Oh those endless list and so little time...tell me about it :( Unplugging at times is very very healthy! Good thing you took time to look down and found that pretty pathway. Be good my friend!

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