“[T0day] is a new day. You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.” — Emerson
By Sunday night, the glow of the weekend begins to fade and the anticipation of another week begins. Stomachs get tight, hands begin to rub temples and the list of all that needs to be done begins to grow into an unwieldy paper dragon flying around in your head wreaking all sorts of havoc on those synapses which had fired so calmly for two days.
I admit, I obsess – more often than not about the things I ‘should’ be doing with little regard for anything that I already did. It doesn’t make for many internal feel-goods, I must say. More importantly though I make myself crazy (with a nod to the reality that I’m already a garden-variety nut). When I was working full-time this was just an accepted form of doing business. Everyone had lists that seemed to procreate at night, so the next morning there were even more items than when you left. A year later, I’m still a work-in-progress. Learning to align what is important to me with that which really has to happen is a tough assignment. And it’s one we all have to assimilate at one point or another or we’re denying ourselves the one thing we know we have – right now. Now, don’t dismiss me with the thought that I have no idea what’s on your plate, the pressure you’re under, how hard you have to drive yourself. Not true – I do know. I also know that you are far more important than anything you’ve got going on today. And if you don’t at least try to take a bit of care of yourself today, at some point you won’t need to consider tomorrow.
So if you’d be so kind as to put one thing on your list this morning – and place it first. YOU. Find a little space today for you. Close your office door for ten minutes (if you have a door). Stay off of email for a few minutes and stretch your legs. Let the call go to voice mail. Not for so long that you begin to sweat and itch. Just long enough to let your body catch up with your mind. Long enough to close your eyes and smile with the delight that for ten little minutes you were unencumbered.
Happy Monday everybody..
Waiting for the Karma Truck 
Good advice. Now, if you could just come over and remind me, I’ll be fine. I may have to print this and hang it in front of my face.
Would that I could…but ten minutes is something we take everyday – stopping to chat with a friend, grabbing coffee…it’s just taking a ‘conscious’ ten minutes that we need!! 🙂
this was a good thing to wake up to – thanks
🙂
YES: By Sunday night, the glow of the weekend begins to fade and the anticipation of another week begins.
YES: Stomachs get tight, hands begin to rub temples and the list of all that needs to be done begins to grow into an unwieldy paper dragon flying around in your head wreaking all sorts of havoc on those synapses which had fired so calmly for two days.
As to execution, that is a MAYBE but it is certainly a noble and worthy cause. 🙂
Great post. 20 years ago, I would have said, bunk. Today, I’m a believer.
Ten minutes David..you can do it. We all do it – we all waste at least ten minutes a day..Now you just have to gather them up and use them for your own benefit. Remember, as King you are leading your people – herald your inner fortitude and do it for all of us little people..:-)
Laughing. So, you are going to ride this King-thing for a while, huh!
I may have to…it makes me giggle, makes you laugh and Lori thinks it’s a hoot. Besides, way back when I wrote a post about how I was so sure I was royalty and though my sister agreed, I’m still without a kingdom. You on the other hand state that you’re the King – your son buys it, and if he does, far be it for me to argue!
ROFL. Emperor has no clothes! Emperor has no clothes! Still laughing.
Now as funny as that visual may be….I’m not going to let it go. But I will use it judiciously in the future. After all, you could banish me.
Great advice, Mimi. It’s ironic that the few minutes of “me” time might make the rest of the day so much more productive, while the hours of anxiety time make it so much less productive.
Exactly Susan!!
Wonderful advice, Mimi. And you’re right–that 10 minutes is nothing that each of us can’t spare (indeed often waste), yet it can make such a difference in”realignment.” Gonna kick this week off with renewed determination to carve out a little space for moi… 🙂
Tu es merveilleuse! Good for you! I am convinced that we all lose more than ten minutes a day on twiddly stuff…if ten minutes can take some of the anxiety of the day away we should at least give it a go…:-)
In my head again, you are. Sheer perfection today as I obsess about road trip I am taking with my daughter so she can interview upstate. Three days of what I hope will be bonding and culminate in success for her. I think my “to do” list which now goes be the name “to remember” is longer than my staircase. So, because I always ‘hear’ what you say, I’m turning off the computer, going downstairs for coffee and practice lamaze breathing to center myself. While the next few days are about my child, I need to take some of that time for myself otherwise… So thank you dear friend for pointing me in the right direction. Happiest of Mondays to you. And, tomorrow, let the party begin.
May the force be with you sweetie pie!! I’m glad you and Jenna are going to have some mom/daughter time, you are absolutely right..You need to make sure you get some me time in there!! Safe travels and we’ll talk when you get back…xoxo
Whats that ,just one thing ?
LOL- you my friend. you.
Great words of advice. The Yoda speak at the very end caught me by surprise and made me laugh out loud! Hope you have a wonderful day. 🙂
I hope you find your ten minutes today you busy lady!! Glad that the Yoda quote got you at the end!!
I am getting my ten minutes right now – both boys are still sleeping. Amazing, considering they are usually up around 6 or 6:30. This momma is enjoying a cup of coffee and some quite time.
WOnderful!!! They’re probably still full from all that pie!!
“I admit, I obsess – more often than not about the things I ‘should’ be doing with little regard for anything that I already did. It doesn’t make for many internal feel-goods, I must say. More importantly though I make myself crazy (with a nod to the reality that I’m already a garden-variety nut).”
– you have NO idea how much I relate to you. Quotes like this are why I love your blog.
Thank you so much!!! I’m really pleased that you enjoy the blog and happier still to be able to honestly tell you that the feeling is mutual. I really liked your post today and was so glad that you stayed in the salon and reminded yourself that none of his issues were yours to own..Good on you my friend!
You talked me into it. In fact, forget ten minutes — I’m going back to bed.
Lol…hope by now you’re up and at ’em..whoever ’em may be..
You had me at this: “…Learning to align what is important to me with that which really has to happen is a tough assignment…” That’s a constant battle I wage with myself. I win some and lose more 🙂 Totally relate to your thoughts today, and the curtain closing on Sunday night for sure! thanks 🙂
OOps – my response to you went under Amb’s comments!
🙂 I think I did that to you once too. So we are ‘even steven’ 🙂
🙂 fair enough!
Such fabulous advice! Pretty sure if I had taken it earlier I wouldn’t be battling the cold that I have now – thanks for the reminder! I’m going to get myself healthy and take time for me 🙂
I think we all struggle with this – and I know you’re not alone in winning all those battles (I’m right there with you)…As long as we keep trying, I think we’re eventually going to have more in the ‘win’ column..;-)
Most definitely – the key being keep trying, tho on some Monday mornings {like this one perhaps??!!} I’d much rather give in to what is important to me than doing what I know must be done…but I’ve got my big girl panties on today and so, will take on the day and all that it brings. Hoo-RAH as my boot camp trainer likes to say!
Lol – at least you’re making it to boot camp! That’s something!
3x/week..it’s a dose of sanity in the midst of a crazy workout! 🙂 Funny how that works!
That’s awesome – I get to the gym three times a week – and am still waiting to see where my six pack is..other than the one that’s in the fridge that is.
OMG – sooo needed that laugh today!! Honestly. Same here! I’d be satisfied with a two pack at this point if I could make the muffins disappear! 🙂
Rofl – me too!!
I hope you feel better soon – summer colds are the worst..
I always do what I can to have some “me” time 🙂
BTW I LOVE that Yoda-esque “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster… I want that on a T-shirt! (I have the original on a shirt already… it’s a favourite)
Good for you!! I loved that poster too – it would be GREAT on a t-shirt!! 😉
THIS is so amazing! I needed this reminder today! Tuck turning 5, today enrolled in Kindergarten. I am emotionally stretched and reading this is truly a breathtaking “ah ha” moment! I look forward to your posts and today’s was such a blessing! I hope you have a great day! Xoxo
I am SO happy to think that I offered you one ounce of the joy and ‘a ha’ moments that you have given me! I hope Tuck’s birthday was the best ever and kindergarten – wow!! Take a breath super mom – you deserve it!!
Thanks Mimi, I needed this now since I woke up at 1 am and didn’t fall back to sleep until after 4. I was trying to save the world from my bed 🙂 taking those few moments is so good to do, it can help prepare us for what is to come. Enjoy your Monday
That’s an abbreviated night my friend!! I hope tonight provides you with more restorative sleep..:-)
Yes me too..
I nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blog Award and it is at http://ivonprefontaine.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Thank you so much – I appreciate your confidence in and enjoyment of my blog!!
I look forward to it each day.
As do I – so glad to hear it!
I meant I enjoy writing it every day – upon re-reading, my response sounded horribly self-serving and it wasn’t what I meant!!
Oh, how I needed this today – and every day. Too bad I didn’t see it until 4:45! 😉 I’ll do better tomorrow. 🙂 Thank you for helping keep me sane and grounded. You may not even realize that you do that, but you DO!
That’s very kind & generous. My hunch is that you’re pretty sane and grounded to begin with!! 🙂
Depends on the day, my dear. Your writing really helps reconnect me to that better part of myself. 🙂
It does bother me that Mondays aren’t content to only ruin Mondays but insist on ruining Sunday nights as well.
There’s no doubt that Monday has gotten a little too big for its britches. Encroaching on Sunday seems to be part of its M.O..
It is a tough assignment, particularly coming out of a law firm environment! Great post and good luck sorting out the must do’s from the nice to have dones.
Thanks – I’m definitely a work-in-progress…it’s literally a conscious effort to undo certain thought patterns which have governed my clock for decades!
Um, that light switch happens to be precisely how MY brain works. This settles it. We are meant to be friends.
I’m glad that’s settled. 😉
Done and done. Or just done. I think the second was really unnecessary…
lol…
Great advice, maybe I should take it but honsetly I don’t think I will, why because today I am so sick and by tomorrow I will not be able to remember anything about today as I am barely funtioning
Oh damn – I’m so sorry you feel lousy. I think the only advice you should take right now is that which makes you feel better!!