Let Go of Being Busy

Years ago some very wise person gave me a little mini book. It was a compilation of some of the more poignant excerpts from Dr. Pichard Carlson's Don't Sweat The Small Stuff series geared specifically for Moms. It sits decoratively in my upstairs hallway and for some reason I actually opened it - Don Shimoda style - for a little advice. The passage that I opened to was about not giving in to feeling 'busy'. It suggested giving up on that label for a little while.

The passage was a beautiful reminder of the power that words have in our lives. If we say it, it must be true, why would we lie? With this logic in mind I watched my language for a day. I see many people through the day where a casual exchange is all there is. In watching what I said to each person I learned a great deal about myself and how I perceive my life.

Friend: "How's it going?"

Me: "Oh you know - Nuts as always!"

Friend: "Hi, Howya doin'?"

Me: "Running to catch up!"

Friend: "Hey, What's up?

Me: "Busy, busy, busy."

I am embarrassed to say that this is only a small sample. I started to wonder who I'm trying to convince? Being busy can be a sign of importance and I am begining to wonder if I simply don't feel important enough and therefore feel I need to explain how busy I am so that I'm sure others think I am important.

Frankly, I do feel busy, tired and overwhelmed but I have to ask myself which came first, the chicken or the egg - have I created this feeling with the power of the words I use to describe my life. I have vowed to try Dr. Carlson's remedy - for one week the word busy will not cross my lips and when I describe my life I will use words such as Fun, Calm, Relaxed, In Flow, In-a-good-place. I'll let you know how it works out!

Namaste,

Kjerstin