Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Do Your Duty!

FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 5, 2007

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:
"There is no duty we so underrate as the duty of being happy. By being
happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world."
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

PERMISSION SLIP!

If you've participated in air travel, you're familiar with the drill explained by the attendants before takeoff: "If the oxygen masks drop and you're traveling with small children, put yours on first and then help them." There's an important lesson hidden in that statement, and one that most us of ignore in the course of our busy lives.

We often spend too much of our time fulfilling responsibilities and commitments to others, and a good deal of that comes out of time that should be set aside for ourselves. That's not to be read as "be more selfish," but we certainly should be taking our own needs more seriously.

"Me" time becomes more important when there's less of it. We probably all need more rest and more sleep, but we end up feeling guilty when we take breaks. We engage in too many "reactive" activities - doing for others - and we lose our sense of control. When you are constantly interrupted by someone else's needs, your body and your mind don't function well. Even when you try to sleep, your mind is too busy to allow it.

So, what's the answer? It's simple really - STOP!

Stop and do something you WANT to do - not something that you feel you OUGHT to do. For instance, exercise is a great release, but not if you feel obligated to do it. That's not what Me Time is about. Most often, it's just about getting some quiet, whether you do it by reading a book, writing in a journal, drawing in a sketchbook, or just turning off the phone.

What works for some will not work for others, and it's up to you to decide what helps you relax. But the all-important first step is to give yourself permission to do so. Stop typing, stop talking, stop selling, stop buying. Close your eyes and breathe. Permission granted!

posted by The Office Grapevine at 2:26 PM  

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