This time of year REALLY gets busy, especially if you're the "point person" for your family and do the majority of the planning, shopping, meal prep, cooking, cleaning and decorating. Did I cover everything? Probably not, but that's what all has been on my agenda for the past few weeks. We host all our family gatherings and they always include huge meals. Even though this time of year (I'm talking about the time leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas) can get quite stressful and "squirrelly" feeling, I LOVE it!! I absolutely love the fall colors, filling our home with beautiful decorations and the excitement and anticipation of all our family being under one roof. Oh, it will be loud and CrAzY but it's so much fun!
After completing a day of work, we come home to do a few domestic tasks and tie up some lose ends pertaining to the many irons we have in the fire. After those things are taken care of, my husband usually retreats to our downstairs den where he practices his trumpet while reviewing past "Bama" games with the volume on mute! Meanwhile, I'm upstairs beginning meal prep while simultaneously texting one of our kids, a friend, or a coaching client. Of course we both have changed into our "evening attire" by now, meaning sloppy, loose fitting, often mis-matched garments. As one of my good friends says "We've got our fat pants on"!
So....we are in our groove and expect to be eating dinner within an hour or so. We will then be settled in for an evening of talks, usually a little news, then depending on the talk, we may end up with the t.v. muted and delve into a subject in which we're both interested that requires a little more focus. If that's not the case, we usually agree on one of our "Classic Movie" collections and put on a DVD. Now this is where the good part comes in....my husband actually "invites" me over to the sofa where he is sitting. He lovingly spreads a soft, warm blanket over the seat cushions (the leather is very cold) then gets my favorite pillow and places it on his lap and folds another soft, warm blanket on top of the other for me to use as cover. I lay my head in his lap, with legs curled in the fetal position under a cuddly blanket. It's then that the magic begins....he plays with my hair!!! As he says "come over and let me pull your hair"! I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoy this...it is the BEST unwinding EVER!! I feel like I need a cup under my chin to catch the drool!
Now, I've shared how our evening ends most days, but I haven't shared with you how it actually begins immediately before and after we walk through our front door. I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Our house is built on the land where my husband was raised. His father originally purchased 500 acres. Later he sold some of it and now 300 acres are divided between my husband and his two siblings. Our home is strategically located where we are able to see and hear our creek from just about every window and door of our home. Because we are so far removed from other residents we have no need for window treatments. Only a few windows have curtains and that is to prevent the sun from bleaching out flooring and furniture! My de-stressing and de-bunking from the world begins as soon as we pull into the driveway and exit the car. I'll allow my pictures to fill you in on the rest!!!
But before I reveal my pictures, I want to conclude this post with an explanation for it's content. Life is chaotic. Life is often difficult. To be successful in this life, it will require us to invest our entire being (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) into everyday. This investment in life can be very draining to say the least. We need a method by which we release our tensions and stress. It's important to daily have this release. Our bodies and minds were not made to withstand great amounts of pressure on a daily basis without moments of release from that pressure.
In order to live your best life now, I encourage you to find that special place that you can go to and enjoy it's beauty and peace. That place may be a small room in your home that you've incorporated beautiful pieces of art, gifts from special people, warm, soft lighting or anything that makes your heart smile. Or, that place may be a near by park on your way home from work. Your special place could simply be a quiet, secluded place that you drive to and sit for some time in your car. Just make the time to find such a place and enjoy it for a few minutes each day. Many times it's just as helpful to sit quietly, alone, at home and reflect on the day, putting away all those frustrations and leaving them behind. Practice being grateful during these times of solace. Be thankful and allow your mind to return to a state of rest and peace. These short times of quiet refreshing will not only ease the tension in your mind but your body as well. Success begins with a mind at peace!! Make it a priority to find your little "haven" and allow yourself a few moments of peace. You'll begin to live your best life now when you do!
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