It's wonderful thing Sally, this idea of stepping back and pacing our lives. As my awareness grows of when and how to do this, I see more and more people doing the same. I think it's actually about making time to connect with our baseline, like your Dad's time at the piano or your time with your plants and gardens. The 15-point daily 'To Do List' breaks this connection, it separates us from our grounding. And as is Nature's way, by stepping back and making time for this reconnection, we actually progress faster on the things we need to do, with more clarity and sustained purpose. So glad too, that your winter bug battle has left you healed and in this space!
Hi Richard lovely to find you here, love what you say here about coming back to baseline and finding a life affirming rhythm from grounding. When we canoed tone was so elastic and spacious , I think of this often !
It so was Sally, I think because we had stepped 'back' from the freneticism we call 'normal', into a space in which we could activate all our senses and know what needed our time and what could be left for another day. I too think about this often, how that understanding of our time brings such clarity to what we're doing and fulfillment when its done.
Thank you for these wise words, Sally. I'm another one who needs a thorough and regular sound check to make sure my life isn't turning into a series of to do lists.
Our bodies are wonderful, aren't they? When all else fails, they know how to insist that something just isn't right.
And this sentence of yours really hits home: “. . . I would start scrolling news sites and Substack, in a futile attempt to put off stress by picking up stress, becoming ever more disorganized and scattered” - - such a succinct and great reminder of how easy it is to fall into the dysfunctional overuse of technology, even if it is a form of “community”, “news,” etc. Thank you! Good balance to us all!
I believe your testimony about accepting what is most important to us as we age could be written for everyone over 50,ok 60. I have had this conversation with several people just this last week (including myself) Asking those questions about priority seems to lead to the right answer. Do what you need to do to nourish your body and mind, hold onto your dreams and wishes as everything else will get done.Later by you or someone else.
Oh I'm so glad to read that you've turned such an important corner in your recovery from infections AND business. We certainly live in times that urge us towards every faster responses and reactions. But as you so wisely point out, by slowing down and taking stock, we can prioritise more meaningfully and helpfully and the work is both more bearable and better served! Sending love to both you and Jonathan... xox
Hope you continue to feel better Sally, yes pacing is good lesson to take with us and not one I hear much about. I think newsletters are a funny teacher in a pacing and I have been trying to embrace that as I move forward with mine - letting my thinking stop each week rather than trying to capture everything about a topic in one go.
Thanks Sally
I need that sound advice now too
Carolx
My Dad would be delighted I am sharing it with you!
Stopping is a radical act in the world we live in.
Yes, so we can be radical every day !
It's wonderful thing Sally, this idea of stepping back and pacing our lives. As my awareness grows of when and how to do this, I see more and more people doing the same. I think it's actually about making time to connect with our baseline, like your Dad's time at the piano or your time with your plants and gardens. The 15-point daily 'To Do List' breaks this connection, it separates us from our grounding. And as is Nature's way, by stepping back and making time for this reconnection, we actually progress faster on the things we need to do, with more clarity and sustained purpose. So glad too, that your winter bug battle has left you healed and in this space!
Hi Richard lovely to find you here, love what you say here about coming back to baseline and finding a life affirming rhythm from grounding. When we canoed tone was so elastic and spacious , I think of this often !
It so was Sally, I think because we had stepped 'back' from the freneticism we call 'normal', into a space in which we could activate all our senses and know what needed our time and what could be left for another day. I too think about this often, how that understanding of our time brings such clarity to what we're doing and fulfillment when its done.
Interesting, yes that activation of all our senses was so transformational and rich, and very fulfilling
Wonderful. Including the piano photo!
Thanks AJ you would have loved my day, a true muso at heart
The photo says so much!
Thank you for sharing hard-won wisdom from you and your dad. May healing continue for you as you embrace slowing...
Thank you Leah for your kind wishes, appreciating all you are posting, bringing heart and care into our hard pressed world 💚
❤️🌸🌺💕
Sal you sure do get some of your diligence and stick ability from your Dad and his soul. Xxx glad you feeling better!
Thanks Deb , yes Dad loved to pass on his pearls of wisdom and some definitely stuck!
Thank you for these wise words, Sally. I'm another one who needs a thorough and regular sound check to make sure my life isn't turning into a series of to do lists.
Our bodies are wonderful, aren't they? When all else fails, they know how to insist that something just isn't right.
Your solar array is amazing!
Your Dad sounds amazing too!
x
Hi Maggie yes challenging the tyranny of lists as useful as they can be. Yes so very lucky to have an amazing Dad !
And this sentence of yours really hits home: “. . . I would start scrolling news sites and Substack, in a futile attempt to put off stress by picking up stress, becoming ever more disorganized and scattered” - - such a succinct and great reminder of how easy it is to fall into the dysfunctional overuse of technology, even if it is a form of “community”, “news,” etc. Thank you! Good balance to us all!
Indeed Chris ! It’s an ongoing reminder for me as well
I believe your testimony about accepting what is most important to us as we age could be written for everyone over 50,ok 60. I have had this conversation with several people just this last week (including myself) Asking those questions about priority seems to lead to the right answer. Do what you need to do to nourish your body and mind, hold onto your dreams and wishes as everything else will get done.Later by you or someone else.
So true, amazing how we can sweat over the small stuff , and neglect what really matters. Wise words 🙏
Oh I'm so glad to read that you've turned such an important corner in your recovery from infections AND business. We certainly live in times that urge us towards every faster responses and reactions. But as you so wisely point out, by slowing down and taking stock, we can prioritise more meaningfully and helpfully and the work is both more bearable and better served! Sending love to both you and Jonathan... xox
Thanks Jo , you know all about the fast and the slow ! Hope you are finding a nourishing pace right now, let’s catch up soon ! X
I think I'm finding some balance... every time I say that though, I wince, in case I'm inviting sudden chaos! Yes, lets catch up soon...
Yes, yes, yes! May you be well, and may we all learn to live slowly and gently xxx
May we indeed , a delicious learning for us all 💚
Oh yes, the never-ending list of tasks. A salutary reminder. Sally, thank you.
Thanks Sue, you may have to do lists but you always follow process, artists have much to teach us about this!
Hope you continue to feel better Sally, yes pacing is good lesson to take with us and not one I hear much about. I think newsletters are a funny teacher in a pacing and I have been trying to embrace that as I move forward with mine - letting my thinking stop each week rather than trying to capture everything about a topic in one go.