Lupita Nyong’o said the following in her tribute to Chadwick Boseman:
Chadwick was a man who made the most of his time, and somehow also managed to take his time. I didn’t know him for long, but he had a profound effect on me in the time that I did. When we came together to make Black Panther, I remember being struck by his quiet, powerful presence. He had no airs about him, but there was a higher frequency that he seemed to operate from. You got the sense that he was fully present and also somehow fully aware of things in the distant future. As a result, I noticed that Chadwick never seemed rushed! He commanded his time with ease… And he put in the work with all of us.
Did you know that these are the Top 5 Regrets of the Dying?
- 1.”I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
- 2.”I wish I hadn’t worked so hard”
3.”I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”
4.”I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
5.”I wish that I had let myself be happier.”
As a person who loves to work and is often working. There always another deadline, there is always another client, there is always something that needs to be organized. The statement, “take your time, but don’t waste your time” is very profound. Often, people who are extremely driven are often in a rush. Most if not everything is time bound and needs to be handled ASAP.
For all of you who like me, struggle to be still in mind and physically, here are my top 4 tips to help you pause and “smell the flowers.”
1) Schedule a “Time-Out” time
Whether you have a planner, calendar, or whatever you use to manage your appointments, make an extra effort to carve out time to slow down or switch off! With two toddlers, a hubby and family around, timetables don’t always go as they should, so instead of carving out a clear 1 or 2 hours daily for a time out, I have chosen to make it a point, that dinner time till the kids go to bed, is time I make myself physically, mentally and emotionally available for my family. Although I work from home, this is often the time that I can slow down and really take in what has been going on with the kids. It’s at this time that I notice that they have grown taller, rounder (tight pajamas are often the hint) or that they are progressing in terms of language and knowledge.
A great way to also take the time out, is to have a routine. This could include taking a long bath or shower, lighting a few candles and enjoying a good bottle of wine or a cup of tea. Where possible, do your best, to keep your phone or laptop, or any work distractions away. This is the time you take, to pause and “smell the flowers”.
2) Step out into nature!
Slipping into the routine of moving from your house, to the car, to the office, to the mall to the next concrete building can happen quickly, smoothly and without noticing for a very long time. Make a conscious effort to take time to be in nature! We may not have the luxury of living smack in the middle of it like people living in the outskirts of the city, but there is often a little patch of grass, a garden or a park you can get to, to take all of this in. When last did you feel the grass under your feet? When last did you find yourself staring at an insect or bird going about its daily life? Take time to marvel at the mysterious beauty that is nature! Nature has a way of grounding you, but only if you let it!
3) Take a trip out of your usual surroundings
When you spend so much time in places you are used to being, it’s really difficult to slow down, and take your time. This is why it really helps to step away from familiar surroundings. Being in a new place, your brain has the job of taking in the new sights, sounds and smells of this unfamiliar place. This automatically forces you to slow down. Being physically away from the office or your usual place of work, can help you detach, and be more present to the ones around you. Takin trips away with family or friends, gives you the chance to give time and attention to one of the most important things about our lives, our relationships.
4) Mindful Relationships
The thing about relationships as my MIL likes to say, is that they are as fragile as cobwebs. That being said, the best way to grow and strengthen them is through time. The quantity/quality debate is a tough one for most. It is up to a person to decide on what works for them. Personally, I believe more in giving quality time over quantity. The people with whom I have the fondest memories of, are the ones who took time to “pause” and pay attention to me. In a world full of distractions, it’s the small gestures, the small intimate conversations, the few moments in time that have communicated love, loyalty and care.
Life is fleeting. Take time to stop, and smell the roses!
If your taking a pause involves spa treatments, and you happen to live in Nairobi – Tumi Wellness is an @Home Spa Services company that brings what you need for your self care to your doorstep. Check out the list of services we offer, here.
#tumiwellness #livelife #mindfulness #stressrelief #TrishMusingsKE