It is officially spring in my part of the world, and the winds of change are blowing again. Some days it’s too much, the weather and wind distracting me so that it is the only thing I focus on, and worse, talk about. Other days I seem to look past the wind and weather and celebrate my gratitude for the season and the earth awakening, marching us to the next season.
We’re building a house - the walls are going up in a week or so - and it’s meant an almost-constant “to do” list of choices to make, things to follow up on, discussions to have, and a close eye on the calendar so as to not miss a decision deadline. All of this in addition to the regular daily life activities like work, chores, obligations. There are moments that I feel overwhelmed; recently I have been taking a step back when I notice the overwhelm settling on me. I sit down, close my eyes and ask myself, “what can I control right now?” The answer is the same every time - my breath, my choices, my thoughts and feelings. It’s the time that I take for myself, time to remember and relax even for a moment, that resets my whole day.
A client told me that sitting down with me, talking and getting my perspective on their situation helped them gain the clarity they needed to move forward. They felt their lives were changed for the better from our conversations alone. It was a great compliment and a fantastic reminder that holding space for someone and listening with the intent to understand is imperative when connecting with someone else. The same holds true for connecting with yourself.
The pandemic has been hard on everyone. As we come into this new season, make sure to take care of yourself, of your loved ones, of the earth. Maybe that means baking or cooking, decluttering your space and recycling what’s no longer needed, or taking a walk outside. Whatever you choose, I hope it brightens your day.