Where we spend our time, inside, outside. Literally, and figuratively. In the world, in our heads.
Who are we outside? Inside? The same, or different…?
These questions churn through my noggin most days, challenge me, inspire me, forward, the stop!
Then forward again. Striving to understand, live the truth, each day, nudge, speed, forward.
Inside, and outside,
Ever forward. Ever forward.
Kids walking by the home office. Often early morning, but could be any time.
My back to the door, stand-up desk, tapping away in the laptop; likely Excel or SAP, or toggling between both.
What do they see?
Do they know the efforts, the issues, the desire to do right by the business, solve the problems, get better?
Squeezing in parenting around business, or business around parenting? Is it the balance or the blend, work and the rest of your life?
What do they think?
Lots packed in; adventure, chores, errands, fun. With the kids, it’s all in the wheelhouse of what’s possible; and it was.
Some good lessons both ways; and some little victories that add to the foundation of their future.
So bright, I gotta wear shades; so bright, I gotta wear shades.
I think I must have had these same feelings as a kid; it’s certainly a phrase we hear pretty often in our house: “I’m scared.”
It’s a catch-all phrase that the kids use when they don’t want to do something, their anxious about it, or they are in fact, scared.
The main strategy to combat the dislike, and especially the fear? Use that ol’ Thought Box I wrote on not too long ago.
Push all the bad thoughts out of the box, that one in your mind’s eye, and only let settle the good thoughts.
I think this is especially effective when you’re trying to go to sleep. Maybe is a good strategy for any apprehensive situation:
Push the bag thoughts out of your mind, push through to the other side.
It’s ok to be scared, but don’t let that apprehension or fear stop you from doing what you need to do, what you want to do.
“I’m scared.”
“Ok. But do it anyway.”
Nighttime banter, what’s the answer? Three little people, come alive, chase the steeple, as the nighttime wanes to bedtime,
What’s the right time to drop the hammer? Enough of the clammer, time for sleep, TIME FOR SLEEP.
Banter defined might inform, what’s the norm?
“the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks” ~
~ let them run a little as sleepy washes into the room, playful teasing, just a bit, then they’re easing off to sleep, then they’re easing off to sleep.
Nighttime banter, that’s the answer, off to sleep, off to sleep.
Writing is fundamental; indeed, it’s a life skill we need in human society to strive and thrive and flourish. Writing is almost never wrong.
Trying to unravel thoughts? Write them down.
Have ideas to share? Write them up, get them out in the world.
True, writing pamphlets of hate, not so good. Spreading lies, promoting violence, evil dissent through the written word, no thank you. But that too tells you the power of writing.
The power of writing is what it does for yourself and for others too. Pour out the ideas, pour out the experiences, share the words, share the love.
GOOD.
Listen to the voices you trust, to those that inspire you, each day. Learn the lessons being offered if they resonate with you. Learn them well.
Lean-in to hard things when it makes sense. We can do hard things . You can do hard things. We humans, we are built for struggle, to overcome difficulties, to persevere. That’s you, too!
Love yourself; at the same time, as you hold yourself accountable, remember to also love yourself.
And love those around you who love you; and love those who need love; let the love you are blessed with power you forward. Accept it when it is offered; give it as often as you can.
Let it be so: Listen, Lean-In, Love.
These three “P’s”…something to be said for them…
We plod through day-to-day, not always completely inspired, not always completely focused, but overall, if we’re going forward, I’d call that, I DO call that, GOOD;
Sometimes the best thing to do is pause, right where we are, and take stock; take an extra deep breath or ten; take a moment or ten for yourself to look around, reset, remind yourself that you’re enough, just as you are; you’re GOOD;
And maybe through those two actions, maybe that’s the foundation of progress. Of course there’s also the “big moves”, the revelations, the quantum leaps…but I think often progress is the simpler version; one foot in front of the other; doing the work; being present in the here and now, and doing the…next…right…thing.
I’d call that progress.
On the other side of the headache, is the comfort and calm and peace to think clearly;
On the other side of releasing the angst and the pain and the toil is the certainty that you can take the next step on that ten thousand mile journey of life;
On the other side of the anxiety that spins you around and flips you upside down is the sense of serenity and peace that you are living exactly the life you’re meant to live in this moment,
And the clarity to change the things that need changing to align your head, your heart, your soul,
Starting now, on the other side.
There’s a great Pearl Jam song…from their first album, I think…”Release Me”…
I think that phrase captures a place I come to with my anxiety, sometimes.
So spun up, extended, stretched, tired, spent. I stare at it, waiting, not blinking. Will it consume me? Will I disappear into its frazzled, jagged, frayed folds of angst and despair…? I get to the point where I don’t care, I’m tired of trying…
And sometimes, just then, it releases me…
Or do I release myself…? Maybe therein the magic lies, the trick to be played.
RELEASE YOURSELF.
Just let yourself be. Release the expectations and the mistakes and the fears and just…be you.
Come on. I’ll join you.
We can do it together.
