Making Assumptions

Well, Folks. Today was an interesting day.

When you consider the fact that it was my day off (read: day of REST) I sure overdid it. I found myself rushing around from appointment to appointment all day long.

And I don't regret a thing.

It's funny how caught up we get when we anticipate a situation. I find myself assuming someone is going to behave/react in a certain way and prepare for (dread) it.

Then when everything unfolds I'm often surprised and delighted by the result.

The stressors I expect didn't materialize

My fears are unrealized

My concern is unfounded.

After I process the experience I want to slap my forehead because I did what I warn my clients against:

I made assumptions.

I spent time today with several friends who I feared would sap my emotional strength and leave me depleted for the rest of the week.

Instead I felt refreshed as I interacted honestly with people I care about. And who care about me (I think).

It was cool.

So I'd like to offer the suggestion that making assumptions is likely to be a waste of time and energy. We tend to suffer proactively for things that may not happen at all.

So don't borrow trouble. Keep your ears, eyes, and heart open to what might actually happen.

Be willing to experience the experience as it unfolds.

Then your assumptions won't make a fool of you.

In Defense of Naps

I love naps.

There's nothing better than taking time away to recharge batteries (mine must be AAA'a because they run out quickly).

So many factors in our lives pick away at our peace; bills, work, relationships, world events. It's no wonder many of us are stressed out and over stimulated. We get snappy and snippy and wiped out, often showing our irritation to those dearest to us.

I realize many people don't have the luxury of taking a daily nap. I get that.

But I wonder how many mistakes have been made because someone was simply too tired.
How many promotions, or even jobs have been lost,
How many relationships have been shattered
How many life-changing decisions have been made
Simply because someone was tired and missed the opportunity to say
No
Yes
I'm sorry
I'm listening
I love you
Forgive me

So my proposal is this:
I believe we should all determine in our hearts that we are going to take a daily nap.

Not necessarily the 'close your eyes and go to sleep' kind of nap.

But the 'I'm going to break away from this chaos and have 10 minutes of unadulterated quiet' kind of nap.

I hear the protests now from those who think they've outgrown such childishness or they don't have the time what with all they have to do. It's kind of ironic how we faithfully charge in our cell phones or put our computers in sleep mode but we won't take any time to recharge ourselves.

Counselor's offices are filled with exhausted people who can't think anymore. Who feel empty and lost and lonely because they're so tired.

The tiredness led them to make mistakes. Misunderstandings. Missteps.

Things they would never had done if they'd had a break from it all.

All for the lack of a nap.

Do you want to join them in their weariness (or are you already there) ?

Or are you like me, claiming the right to have a few minutes to yourself daily to have enough energy when the stresses build up?

Start right now. Determine that you're going to detach yourself each day from the hurry of life. That time (I recommend 15 minutes minimum) is to be spent alone and in quiet. If you can't take a physical nap at least take a mental one.

I hate for you to look back on your life and see mistakes that could have been avoided, words that wouldn't have been said, or steps that wouldn't have been taken
If you'd only had a nap.