Ahhhhhhh.........

I have been looking forward to this morning for a long time. It is a very rare occurrence...an unencumbered morning. No work, no work-out, no horsey chores, (Love you Leigh!!), and no where to be until noon. Ahhhhh......just sleeping in until 6, (couldn't sleep any later! :-O), coffee, oatmeal, chatting with the hubby, answering e-mails, FB, and listening to the puggies snore on the couch. Oh, and I FINALLY got a chance to transfer music on my new Ipod Nano that the hubby surprised me with last week! I have loved my Shuffle, but the new Nano is only slightly bigger and I can put so much more on it. Thanks again sweetie!! And how's this for timing...the Shuffle completely died yesterday! :-)
Still, as I sit here and catch up on this blog, the one I vowed to keep up with and am finding it increasingly difficult to do so, my brain is needling me. I SHOULD...clean, start laundry, pay bills, clean out my closet, brush my mud-covered -from-nose-to-tail horse, blah,blah,blah. I'm trying to tune out the noise.
This weeks Girls on the Run lesson was about relaxation and being in the moment. We've seen the consequences of societal pressure to react to constant external stimuli from the moment our eyes open until we finally close them after collapsing from exhaustion. It's how we are teaching our kids to live their lives. The incessant demands on their time, filled with academics, sport, family, church, peer relationships, technology, pop-culture, status, etc. Do we teach them to just BE? To just tune out, listen to our breathing and let our minds wander without purposeful thought? To sit in a QUIET room without I-pods, computers, cell phones, tv, another human being?
I love my group of 8 very energetic and chatty girls. I knew this lesson would be hard for them. They had to run for 20 minutes alone, and in silence. When they heard that, they all groaned, and tried every avoidance tactic they could think of. After letting them burn off some energy by giving them 15 minutes of their choice of activity, they were finally ready to try it. And they were awesome! After the silent running, I then had them lie down and I talked them through some relaxed breathing and very basic meditation. And something amazing happened...they absolutely loved it! We talked about what their thoughts were and how that activity made them feel. There was a completely different dynamic within the group. More centered, focused, attentive, creative. One of them said we should end every practice that way. I was amazed and so proud of them!
I think more and more of us are aware of how important it is to incorporate reflection and relaxation into our lives. Where it get's tricky is making a choice about what get's displaced to make room for it. I have a few friends that do yoga and swear by it. I've gone to a few classes, but truthfully it's been a couple of years. I just don't have the time....sound familiar? I do find time to try and get into a relaxed frame of mind while I'm running or swimming easy, when walking the dogs, or puttering. I've really been working on staying in the moment and not thinking about then next workout, or school day agenda, or meal.(THAT is the toughest!! ;-)) I'm getting better at it all the time, but, ironically, I find it takes effort to be relaxed.
So today, I am grateful for the time spent on myself this morning. I look forward to the rest of the day shopping with Robyn. I have not bought new clothes for myself...other then work out clothes...in ages. I'm still wearing clothes from more than a few years ago. I HATE clothes shopping! (Audible gasp being heard from ALL of my female friends!! ;-)) I was trying to get out of it last night when talking with Robyn, I suggested we go to a movie instead. (...I am CRAVING movie popcorn!). She said, "No way Mom, were are getting you some new clothes!!" Sigh....ok, ok....I'll go! It will be good for Robyn and I to be together today. We are all worried about Rachel. Despite my best efforts to have a completely stress free morning, life continues to roll forward and throw out challenges. Rachel is dealing with some issues, and the miles apart make supporting her difficult. Needless to say, we are thankful for technology providing us with cell phones, as we will be using them even more in the days to come. I am also reminded about how much this family is fiercely loyal, protective, and supportive of each other. The love and gratitude in my heart is bursting today!
Happy Easter everyone! Enjoy this day!