I’ve missed you!
I was away all last week working at an event.
It was an amazing group of participants in a beautiful place (Sundance, UT) and I work with the best, most big-hearted team.
The work we do is all about personal growth and I always learn so much. I’m really lucky!
And — also — when I am away working at events it is nearly impossible to focus on anything outside of what needs to be happening at the event, in that moment.
I had brought a small list of things I had hoped to accomplish that felt really important and timely to me.
As each day passed and there was not time to do these things, I started to feel fretful. I could sense anxiety underneath the surface.
The pressure was building. How would I get these things done?
Finally, while there, I was able to let it all go — telling myself that I would hop to it this week, in the few days I had before I travel again — all next week.
Thus, in addition to the things on my list last week, I started this week off with a long list of what had to happen before I travel again. Monday’s list looked a mile long.
Now it is Saturday. And that “must-do” list looks about as long as it did at the start of the week!
Unexpected project deadlines coupled with errors at the printer have resulted in my days not looking like I had planned. As well, I just put way too many things on the list than there was time for.
Why am I telling you all of this?
Because life is not a machine.
Our bodies are not machines.
We do not go through our days, programming in everything that we think needs to be accomplished and then — sphloof— out it comes perfectly done at the end of the day.
We must give ourselves permission to slow down and to let go.
We must give ourselves permission to choose the quality of our lives over the quantity of how much gets done.
Just as I was writing that, I noticed the song that is playing on Pandora right now: Simon and Garfunkel are singing “Slow down, you move too fast.”
The song is called “Feeling Groovy.” I’m not kidding you!!!!
That is crazy-wonderful, isn’t it? The whole universe is conspiring to help us let go of the crazy pace and the too-high expectations that cause us worry.
I’m smiling.
I want you to pause right now and click on the video link above. Please listen in the background while you read the rest of this letter to you!
(I’ve got it playing, too.)
Okay. That was amazing.
That song.
The message, just for us: Slow down. Experience life. Enjoy being here on this planet.
Ah. Let’s all breathe deeply right now, okay?
{Insert deep, wonderful, breath.}
Last night I went to a Zumba class. It felt so good to simply be in my body and to move around happily. I realized that sometimes I see my body as a servant, as if it is only there to accomplish what’s gotta be done. Instead, I want to remind myself way more often that the body needs lots of playfulness, movement, and pure joy.
I’m practicing letting go and being HERE.
I’m practicing treating my body like a friend, not a doing machine!
Life isn’t a contest.
Thank you for letting me share this with you. Maybe some of you also needed to hear it.
I’m glad I’m slowing down right now to talk to you.
It reminds me that what I most want to “get done” during this life is to connect with amazing people and support one another in finding small moments of joy and celebration.
Thanks for being on this journey with me!
Seek celebration — even in dark corners,
xo Sherry