There are days when people manage to steal time from my. A ten minute conversation, a drop-in to my office, a request to follow up on some project that isn’t mine to own, an influx of emails to respond to quickly or a task that is handed over to me because I can find answers more quickly. All those minutes add up. Stolen time.
Today I gave quite a bit of thought to stolen time and moments. I’ve had a couple of days where many moments have been stolen and my plans shifted because of those stolen moments. In some cases, those shifted plans were incredible while other moments caused me to fall behind.
As today unfolded, I realized that it was going to be a day I was crunched for time. And yes, I was hyper aware of the time. With much to do and little time to do it, I was mindful of the fact that today could have quickly ramped up to a stressful day. That’s not to say it wasn’t stressful (it was), but it could have been a lot more so.
Instead of going with the flow and dealing with things as they came to me, I took control. I made it clear to everyone in the office that today my door was not open. Today I was not going to have time stolen from me. I set my boundaries and made sure that the one thing I really needed to get done today was accomplished. And though my interruptions were not entirely eliminated they were greatly minimized. Fortunately, it was enough time stolen back to me that I was able to accomplish my task at hand.
Today’s moment, about stolen time, had me thinking. As my Naturopath told me at my last appointment a few weeks back, being mindful is something I need to do more of. I think today was a big step towards that end. Now, I don’t believe I could do this everyday (for I came back to nearly 75 emails!), but some days, I think I have a new “mindful” process.
This also had me thinking about how I might steal time from other people. Do I linger? Do I ask more questions than I should? Do I ask people to do things that I should be doing myself? Do I take time to listen and not just dump my own tasks/problems on others. Do I steal time from people?
I’m sure I do. I think it’s only natural sometimes. At least now I’m more aware of it. Awareness is good. Do you steal time from people?
I think I’m going to have to steal time for myself! I rather enjoyed that.
Moments of growing.
Moments of giving time back.
Showing posts with label mindfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mindfulness. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Moments D374: Saved Coffee
Today was an incredible day. It was jam packed with productivity, information, and weather graced us with our first 25 degree, full of sunshine day. AND top all that off with my volleyball team winning the first round of playoffs to hold on to first place for the season. Next week, we’ll take it all! But my special moment happened early this morning.
I didn’t sleep well last night. I woke mid-night and had a hard time falling back to sleep. I re-set my alarm knowing that I’d have to skip my morning workout with the lack of sleep (for the second night in a row!)…..
When I woke, I didn’t feel rushed, and yet I was buzzing around quickly to get off to work quickly. Time seemed to be moving slowly and I was moving quickly. Given my lack of sleep, that’s a good way to start the day.
And then my moment happened. I was out the door, heading to the car with many bags (volleyball gear, lunch, purse) and my coffee travel mug in hand. I quickly realized I didn’t have enough hands to open my passenger door. I mindfully put my travel mug on the roof of my car, thinking to myself “Do not forget your coffee!”. I fussed with my bags, placing everything just so and then I climbed into the car.
As I started the car an adorable elderly gentlemen quickened his very slow pace to reach me before I pulled away. He was pointing, of course, at my roof. I had a good laugh at myself, pulled up my parking brake and jumped out of the car. As I opened my door, the lovely gentleman said “You don’t want to lose your coffee - glad we could save it.” I laughed and agreed quite heartily. I thanked him and we parted ways.
I giggle to myself for being so “mindful” of and then promptly forgetting my coffee.
A good, silly moment and apparently a good way to start the day.
Moments appreciating the kindness of a stranger.
I didn’t sleep well last night. I woke mid-night and had a hard time falling back to sleep. I re-set my alarm knowing that I’d have to skip my morning workout with the lack of sleep (for the second night in a row!)…..
When I woke, I didn’t feel rushed, and yet I was buzzing around quickly to get off to work quickly. Time seemed to be moving slowly and I was moving quickly. Given my lack of sleep, that’s a good way to start the day.
And then my moment happened. I was out the door, heading to the car with many bags (volleyball gear, lunch, purse) and my coffee travel mug in hand. I quickly realized I didn’t have enough hands to open my passenger door. I mindfully put my travel mug on the roof of my car, thinking to myself “Do not forget your coffee!”. I fussed with my bags, placing everything just so and then I climbed into the car.
As I started the car an adorable elderly gentlemen quickened his very slow pace to reach me before I pulled away. He was pointing, of course, at my roof. I had a good laugh at myself, pulled up my parking brake and jumped out of the car. As I opened my door, the lovely gentleman said “You don’t want to lose your coffee - glad we could save it.” I laughed and agreed quite heartily. I thanked him and we parted ways.
I giggle to myself for being so “mindful” of and then promptly forgetting my coffee.
A good, silly moment and apparently a good way to start the day.
Moments appreciating the kindness of a stranger.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Moments D331: Mindfulness Walk #2
Today was my second mindfulness walk. It was also the second day walking in big beautiful snowflakes.
During my walk I focused on the fluffy snowflakes as they fell. When there was no wind, they drifted slowly from the sky. When the wind kicked up, they swirled about me tickling my face. I know a lot of my co-workers were complaining about the snowfall on our fist day of spring. Not I. I loved not only watching it, but being outside in the snowfall to really enjoy it. After all, it may be the last snowfall I see until the end of this year.
Moments enjoying what I have today.
Moments appreciating the last of winter on the first day of spring.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Moments D329: Mindfulness
After a visit to my ND (who, incidentally I adore and respect all at the same time), it’s become ever more apparent that I need to instil more mindful moments into my days.
I find this a touch amusing that my prescription from this last appointment was to be mindful. After all, this is very much what my daily blog is about - being mindful and appreciating moments. Apparently, it isn’t enough. On some level, I know this to be true. On some level, I know I need more. There are days where the race feels to be consuming me. The race against time, the race against the “to do” list, the race to keep up with friends and family. It very quickly reminded of the “Jar of Life” story I heard many moons ago.
And so, I was reminded to take care of my health first. Set my priorities and work towards them in a mindful manner. Yes. An even more mindful manner.
From today forward, I vow to take at least a 20 minute lunch break - to walk mindfully and focus on what’s around me in the moment. No deadlines, no drop-ins, no phone calls, no answers to offer. Twenty minutes in the middle of a hectic stressful day to carve out as my own.
It’s been coming down the pipe for awhile in that I’ve known for awhile that I couldn’t keep running at this pace without consequences. Actually, come to think of it, I’ve had a few consequences. But now that they become ever more serious, it’s time to give my heart, my adrenal system and my mind a break. Pause. Breathe. Repeat.
I can do this.
Moments of realization.
Moments walking past the “to do” list.
I find this a touch amusing that my prescription from this last appointment was to be mindful. After all, this is very much what my daily blog is about - being mindful and appreciating moments. Apparently, it isn’t enough. On some level, I know this to be true. On some level, I know I need more. There are days where the race feels to be consuming me. The race against time, the race against the “to do” list, the race to keep up with friends and family. It very quickly reminded of the “Jar of Life” story I heard many moons ago.
And so, I was reminded to take care of my health first. Set my priorities and work towards them in a mindful manner. Yes. An even more mindful manner.
From today forward, I vow to take at least a 20 minute lunch break - to walk mindfully and focus on what’s around me in the moment. No deadlines, no drop-ins, no phone calls, no answers to offer. Twenty minutes in the middle of a hectic stressful day to carve out as my own.
It’s been coming down the pipe for awhile in that I’ve known for awhile that I couldn’t keep running at this pace without consequences. Actually, come to think of it, I’ve had a few consequences. But now that they become ever more serious, it’s time to give my heart, my adrenal system and my mind a break. Pause. Breathe. Repeat.
I can do this.
Moments of realization.
Moments walking past the “to do” list.
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