Have you ever taken the time to just sit and watch something like a hummingbird flitting around? They seem to hover and constantly feed to keep themselves going. They dart here and there feeding on different food sources their tiny bodies need. Do hummingbirds ever take a break? Yes they do. They actually spend about 10-15% or their time feeding and 75-80% of their time sitting and digesting.
Here in America we work like hummingbirds rushing here and there trying to fit in as much as we can into our days. Unlike the hummingbird we don’t take breaks to let things sit and digest. We just keep on plowing through at a hectic pace. If we keep going at the breakneck speed we do we could end up working ourselves to death.
We need to take time out to stop and breathe and watch nature. Not a nature lover? Maybe you should think about it then. Find a quiet place by a window with a screen and open the window. Now tell me what do you hear? How many sounds can you name?
Now take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. Do it again. Now breathe in through your nose and what do you smell? I challenge you to try this exercise on a hotel balcony in Hawaii!
My favorite time of the day is early in the morning. I love sitting on a deck or balcony and while sitting very still just listen and watch what is going on around me as the world wakes up. At the end of the day I like to do the reverse, listen to the world settling down and the night life waking up. I especially love doing this in different towns, cities, countries, on the ocean as each place is unique and you can learn about new sounds and sights by watching a place waken or settle down.
You’re probably thinking that sounds boring and for some people it is. But if you don’t find a way to relax you could end up burning yourself out and then where would you be? Taking time out to be aware of what is around you in nature is a great way to give yourself a mental break and it may help lower your blood pressure. You are now better prepared to face the crisis in the office or another busy day.
If you think taking a vacation from work is hard because of all the excuses like; “the place will fall down without me”. Then ask yourself this; if I keep going at the pace I’m going I could either have a stroke, heart attack or worse drop dead! Would the company you work for really fall down if you took a few days off? How would they survive if you were gone permanently? Would they keep going? Are you really that valuable? Is your life really worth the heavy price tag of working all the time?
TAKE TIME OFF!! Go on vacation. Enjoy time with your family and friends. Reconnect with those closest to you and don’t work yourself into an early grave. It’s not worth it. Life is meant to be lived to its fullest and enjoyed. You can’t do that if you are working. Go and discover who you are and who your family and friends are.
As for me I’m all about living life and doing what I love. At the end I want to slide in and go “Wow, what a ride!” I want to be remembered as the one who always had a smile and a hug to share. Who lived life and loved what she did.
How about you? How do you want to be remembered? Someone who was all work and no play? Or someone who took time to stop, watch, and listen to the sights and sounds of nature. Try watching a hummingbird. Do you see its wings? Can you live in the moment? Or are you too busy working to watch a hummingbird and live in the moment?
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