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Time Out
Look to this day
For it is life
The very life of life.
In its brief course lie all
The realities and verities of existence
The bliss of growth
The splendor of action
The glory of power
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well lived
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
.......Sanskrit Proverb
Today many of us find ourselves far from family ties. We seem to be doing more than we did ever before but enjoying much less. We are living our lives in an age of "multitasking", doing far too many things at once - yet it seems that we are longing for a simpler and more meaningful life. Here are a few suggestions for living a simpler, less stressed, more meaningful life:
Losing track of making a life while making a living
Have you noticed that while you are climbing the ladder of success you are actually getting further away from what you really love? - Measure your success. You may be making more money than you ever did, but at what cost? Is it worth losing the pleasure of family? Is your job keeping you away from home more than you'd like? Maybe you should think about having more time even if it means less money, prestige, and success.
- Make lists. Every now and then make lists of things you would really like to do. Think about recreating those happier times. Go down the memory lane and look at old photographs, those boxed up home movies. Think about what you were doing then and what you're doing now and what are its impact on you and your family.
Losing track of time
You often say "I don't have time for that", or you're so stressed for time that you are counting the number of grocery items at the express checkout line and a five minute wait makes you restless. You barely find time to talk to your family or friends. You are in activity overload. You need to take deliberate steps to slow down and do less.
- Try to write down everything you do for a week and how much time you spend at each activity. This way you'll be able to take an inventory on how you spend your time.
- Start rating your activities according to their priority, and decide to cut out the low priority ones that you don't enjoy.
- Whenever you are feeling rushed or stressed, try to relax by deep breathing. Practice this when you are on hold, waiting in line or working on a deadline.
- Make your waiting time from "lost time" to "found time". Carry a book, magazine or newspaper clipping and read while you wait. Carry a CD player and listen to music.
- Doing several things at a time may seem to be more productive and efficient, but you actually end up feeling rushed and stressed. Practice doing one thing at a time - even simple things. You'll find out that this way you do a better job too.
- You have to learn to say "no". You may find it hard but you'll be surprised at how sympathetically people will respond, after all they're busy too.
- Buy less and get rid of the excess. Clean up one drawer or shelf a week. Adopt a rule: For every item that you bring into your house, one goes out.
Prevention is the best medicine
Take good care of yourself. It will help you live longer and healthier, it costs less in the long run.
- Exercise for 30 minutes three times a week and have regular tests, including Pap smears, mammograms, and colon cancer screenings.
- Give yourself a Time Out: If you feel burnt out and stressed then you can not be productive. Recharge and relax for sometime by doing what you really like or even better, do nothing at all. You have nothing to feel guilty about.
Click here for more information on Recreation.
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