Hehe! You've done it again Monica. You've sneaked a peek into my life from all those thousands of miles away and you SAW ME.
Here I am sitting in my lounge chair. It's 10am. I've been up since 7.30 and all I've done is fed cats (non-negotiable) made coffee (life affirming) and just sat. I've been reading anything and everything I could find to make sense of my very new life as a widowed, recently retired 66 year old who ran her late husband's business for 6 years (just to keep him close if I'm honest) and finally, having just ended a soul- destroying, co-dependent relationship. (AKA indulging my inner control freak egotist)
My friends shout "Party time!" My psychologist says "Go hiking in the cold, wet and windy winter" (is she nuts?) My conscience says "Why not do that financial counselling course so you can be more useful to more people".
My Mother-in-law is saying "Pack your bags and travel the world Sweetheart!"
Yeah, maybe Ma.
But the only thing that resonates right now is you and my cats saying "just sit there woman! Listen, breathe, sleep if you want to. Essentially, just be a cat for a while and see what happens"
awe, I wish I could reach through this screen and just give ya a great big hug! Today I woke up within a few seconds of my eyes opening hearing myself procalim ‘“ I LOVE MY LIFE” now Pat, that was a FIRST. I believe it’s because I stopped allowing all those with good intentions advise me and I began sitting with myself and just allowing wonder to be my bestie
I had to learn that lesson last year in rehab when there were days all I could do was sit. It's still a challenge. But I find my time on the deck, just sitting to often be what I need. I get it. And, men need this too, just sayin'.
I called those periods reflection time. It’s a combination of listening and thinking and watching my thoughts and simply allowing. Reflection is essential to my health and well-being. You are doing such a valuable service by bringing this to the attention of a broader audience. Thank you.
Wow. I am learning so much about this new phase of my life. The slow down. Asking myself ‘what’s next?” And most of all trying to train myself to stop rationalizing relaxation, stillness, reading a novel on a Wednesday afternoon! To not feel guilt, discomfort from just being. Adjusting to the money situation, a challenge; having 30 yr old back home, sigh. Listen, thank you for what you share here with free subscribers - thank you!!! When I can, I’ll subscribe here. Be well. Thrive.
Hehe! You've done it again Monica. You've sneaked a peek into my life from all those thousands of miles away and you SAW ME.
Here I am sitting in my lounge chair. It's 10am. I've been up since 7.30 and all I've done is fed cats (non-negotiable) made coffee (life affirming) and just sat. I've been reading anything and everything I could find to make sense of my very new life as a widowed, recently retired 66 year old who ran her late husband's business for 6 years (just to keep him close if I'm honest) and finally, having just ended a soul- destroying, co-dependent relationship. (AKA indulging my inner control freak egotist)
My friends shout "Party time!" My psychologist says "Go hiking in the cold, wet and windy winter" (is she nuts?) My conscience says "Why not do that financial counselling course so you can be more useful to more people".
My Mother-in-law is saying "Pack your bags and travel the world Sweetheart!"
Yeah, maybe Ma.
But the only thing that resonates right now is you and my cats saying "just sit there woman! Listen, breathe, sleep if you want to. Essentially, just be a cat for a while and see what happens"
Sound advice Monica and kitties.
awe, I wish I could reach through this screen and just give ya a great big hug! Today I woke up within a few seconds of my eyes opening hearing myself procalim ‘“ I LOVE MY LIFE” now Pat, that was a FIRST. I believe it’s because I stopped allowing all those with good intentions advise me and I began sitting with myself and just allowing wonder to be my bestie
I'll accept your cyber hug with gratitude Monica! And right back atcha! Thank you for what you do. 🙏❤️
I had to learn that lesson last year in rehab when there were days all I could do was sit. It's still a challenge. But I find my time on the deck, just sitting to often be what I need. I get it. And, men need this too, just sayin'.
What if...
What would happen if...
For once...
I slowed down when reading somebody's article on Substack...
And listened... I mean TRULY listened...to what the writer was saying...
Rather than hearing my own inner voice...
Translating and interpreting what I'm reading.
I did that when reading this article...
And I heard Monica's message on a whole new level.
I called those periods reflection time. It’s a combination of listening and thinking and watching my thoughts and simply allowing. Reflection is essential to my health and well-being. You are doing such a valuable service by bringing this to the attention of a broader audience. Thank you.
"Stillness isn't the absence of life. It's where life quietly reorganize itself. "
Wisdom, Monica!
Thank you for sharing your experience and reflections!
Needed to hear this. Today is sit with my soul day 🙏
Wow. I am learning so much about this new phase of my life. The slow down. Asking myself ‘what’s next?” And most of all trying to train myself to stop rationalizing relaxation, stillness, reading a novel on a Wednesday afternoon! To not feel guilt, discomfort from just being. Adjusting to the money situation, a challenge; having 30 yr old back home, sigh. Listen, thank you for what you share here with free subscribers - thank you!!! When I can, I’ll subscribe here. Be well. Thrive.
It’s hard. I learned TM. 20 minutes twice a day. So hard to justify in my brain.