Since the return from my self imposed sabbatical to Fingal, where I read, meditated, walked and lived in silence for a week, I have not meditated, I have not read and I have barely written a word. Everyday life has a way of taking over and changing your priorities. Writing my morning pages this morning, the first since my return, I wrote about being back to the 'real world'. Where I feel like the clock is ticking the very moment I wake up, the hours limited to what I can achieve, the "things that need to be done" versus the "things I would LIKE to do". Of course I also 'like' to clean out drawers (strange as that may seem) and organise areas of the house that have gotten "out of hand" however I have this ever present feeling of not having enough time to do those things and the more creative, spiritual and playful pursuits that make me who I am.
I am currently on long service leave so in actual fact I have more time than I have ever had. Yes, it's true that I am not at my best physically, due to the recent surgery, so washing walls is out of the question, but clearing out the bathroom cabinet brings me a sense of order and calmness to some part of my domesticated soul. My friend Heike from "All Things Sorted" (you can check out her website here www.allthingssorted.com.au ) would tell me that getting sorted clears your mind and allows for more time and creativity in your life, so I'm doing the right thing, right?. But I just keep sorting...and sorting.
In my own case, I let domestic chores take priority over everything else. No balance. Lately I have been feeling a bit flat...you know just blah. When I'm like this fear thoughts creep in. "what am I doing? I should be working....Get a real job...You'll never make any money doing what you love"....etc...it goes on and on. I have fallen off the Fingal Retreat wagon.
This morning I finally made the time to journal. To sit, to read, to meditate. And whaddya know...I feel fantastic! Empowered and back on track. I realised that if I get up earlier and do the "Soul stuff first" I have so much more energy, I whip through the domestic stuff , I am filled with new ideas for all the creative stuff, and I have time to read about all the stuff that makes me happy. That's a lot of stuff! And while I am partaking in all these activities...Mr Negative just disappears. Evaporates. This is the "Real World".
Therefore, my advice today (if it's worth anything at all) is this.....if you only ever do one thing different in your life, one slight change in the pursuit of happiness, spend 30mins with your soul every morning. Be it with writing, or meditating or walking on the beach. Just do it, and do it alone. You will be amazed at what can develop from this small commitment to yourself. Try it, I don't believe you will regret it.
Good one. My advice is if you can't ignore 'untidyness', then leave the house everyday to do your writing, reading and percolating. Just up and go and take your laptop, kindle and whatever else you need with you. Habits of mind are hard to break and this sorting, cleaning, clearing and controlling every scrap of our environment every minute of the day is definitely one of them.
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