I am too busy to …..

The previous 2 weeks have been very hectic for me – my blog fans will notice that I haven’t even posted a blog during this time.  I have been inundated with “things to do” – all with deadlines that coalesced around this time – the University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Gala, grading 300 student assignments, setting and invigilating a midterm exam, teaching my studets and planning for and facilitating a Free and Laughing workshop.  PLUS, caring for the many needs of my teens, walking my doggies twice per day and making sure that home and hearth is warm and comfortable for all.  There’s more …. But you get the drift.

With only 24 hours in the day, to get through all of this, something had to give. So, I found myself extending the time available by gulping copious mugs of coffee to stay awake and alert, doing at least 3 allnighters and catnapping excessively.   I also eliminated some things – my yoga class being one of them.

This past week I finally started to come down, and reclaim some “normalcy” in my life.   I crashed out early most nights, and awoke the next morning giving thanks for a good nights’ sleep.  But my body was talking loud and clear to me – knots in the shoulders, stiff neck, aches in my hips and lower back.  Body was saying “Marguerite, you abused me”.  I finally dragged myself to a yoga class on Wednesday morning.   I stood in shock as I observed the effect of my very first complete breath – with the exhale I felt ALL the tension drain away and out of my body; with the inhale I felt my entire body tingling with energy and vitality.  Just ONE breath!  I felt like a totally new person!

Throughout the class I reflected on the effect of the breath.  It occurred to me that in the previous weeks, I had been too busy to sleep, eat properly, exercise and do all the things that I KNOW keep me centred and productive.  And I declared, right then and there, that from now on, if I am too busy to do something for myself, then that is EXACTLY what I MUST do!

Today, reflect on the week just past – what were you too busy to do?  Were you too busy to exercise?  Too busy to sit and enjoy a meal?  Too busy to eat fresh fruit and vegetables?  Too busy to sleep?  Too busy to hug your children?  Too busy to be intimate with your partner?  Too busy to drink enough water?  Too busy to breathe?  It’s not too late – whatever you were too busy to do, do it today!