Finite Resources

What a wonderful day I had yesterday. I connected (one of my core values) with some of the wonderful women in my life and get their opinion on a survey I had put together. It only took a few minutes but just that little connection kept my fuel tank full the whole day. By the end of the day I had connected with over 20 women and produced some great work. I had been diligent about taking a few short breaks, not really indulgences though. In fact in I were to be completely honest I knew I should take breaks but was eager to get back to work and hurried through them. At 5:30 PM Sofie came babbling home, art work in hand and I went upstairs but left my head downstairs, or someplace else, either way I was not present completely with my body. At 6:30 PM I couldn't stand it anymore and I went downstairs to finish my project, I was having a little light at the end of the tunnel syndrome (you can read all about that in one of my previous posts). After 30 minutes I turned off the computer and went upstairs, red wine in hand.

Time is finite, not elastic. We all of course think we can stretch it but it is the great equalizer, rich or poor we all get 24 hours each day. Other resources in our life are finite too. Not all in the same way as time. Energy for instance is something we either have or don't have. We create a pile of energy which we can replenish if we choose to but when it it gone it is gone, it is finite. I bring this up because yesterday when I cut short my breaks and hurried through them they did not serve their purpose, they did not stock pile my energy. What I am noticing is that when I use up all my energy during the day I make unhealthy, easy choices later in the day. All that productivity during the day translated into me not being completely present with my family in the evening. Part of this was also due to skipping my transition from work to personal time. I am now on day 24 of my 100 day challenge and part of the challenge is solidifying healthy routines in my life, to anchor me. When I make a conscious decision to transition by walking around the block with Sofie or playing with her dolls house with her or taking a shower I am then able to bring my whole body to the party and spend quality time with my family and enjoy my evening consciously. Instead when I push myself to the max, which I admit at times is necessary but long term is detrimental. After the big push I immediately grab the unconscious solution, red wine. As wonderful as re wine is, if I make the red wine and skip the rest of my replenishing nighttime routine (meditation, pampering myself, doing things I love and enjoying pure indulgence) then I am further depleting my energy rather than replenishing the pile.

There are different types of energy and everyone has different ones that are necessary for them to function optimumly. There is spiritual energy, creative energy and physical energy (the energy necessary to complete physical tasks) to name a few. Each type is replenished in a different way and in different ways for different people.

Building reserves in your life is also an excellent way to tap into your attracting factor. So by going beyond just creating enough energy and spending less than you accrue you will see more opportunities coming your way. I have been noticing that a lot recently as I have been simplifying and making room to grow.

When we honor our core values we create energy. Which is why when we are doing goals, projects or tasks that tie in with who we are, our core values, often it seems effortless. It also takes a lot of energy to be present, conscious and focused so we deplete our energy quickly without realizing when we are honoring our values. I'm sure you have experienced crash and burn after working on something you loved and then wondering where you got the energy.

So in my quest for pure indulgence (read past posts for defintion), which is now incidentaly not limited to the evening, I must be mindful of energy.