Paying Personal Attention

"Our relationship with ourselves is as important as any other relationship in our lives. It is easy to think that since we take ourselves wherever we go, we don't have to schedule time with ourselves. The truth is, that time spent in the company of others is attention we pay to our other relationships, and if we don't have time for ourselves then we deprive ourselves of our own company. It is during these moments that we stop hearing what we are saying, and we slowly begin to lose our center. Our other relationships begin to suffer because if we can't be present to ourselves, chances are that we won't be present to others."  -Daily Om

So often, I hear what I most need to hear when I most need to hear it. The last couple of weeks, I have been running on empty, so to speak. Things that once gave me great joy have seemed burdensome. Inspiration was not forthcoming. I felt an increased need for sleep and found myself stealing quick naps whenever I could, which is not like me at all!

These were all red flags for me, as I am typically a pretty upbeat and positive person, excited about my life and seeing opportunity everywhere. I started combing through the details of my life, looking for something that was different, something that had occurred, something I had eaten...I couldn't find anything! I was busy, but that wasn't unusual. My life seemed the same pattern- a daily weaving of work, running, coaching, friendships, personal development, and writing.

I dug deeper...there had to be something! I didn't discover it until this morning. I woke up early and carved out time to read, reflect, journal, and just LISTEN to myself. The last 2-3 weeks, I had convinced myself I was too busy and needed sleep. Therefore, this hour had been cut out of my day. I saw it as an indulgence, a luxury, a precious hour during which I could sleep or cram another hour of activity into.

But sitting here, this morning, in the stillness I sensed something different, a peace, a stillness, an inspired way to start my day. And I wasn't cognizant of it until I read the above passage from Daily Om.

It doesn't have to be at the beginning of the day, but it is so vital to our well-being to carve out time for our own personal care. If we don't spend time listening to ourselves and recharging our batteries, we are going to expend all of our energy without ever replenishing it. This makes us useless to both ourselves and others.

Can you find 20-30 minutes to carve out for yourself today? If you have a family that places a lot of demands on your time, maybe it is in the morning before the kids wake up. Maybe it's stopping at a coffee shop or bookstore on the way home from work. Finding ways to restore yourself will help you be more effective, productive, and loving when you return to the world.

Community Supported Agriculture

 Cut down on the cost of produce, develop a relationship with your local farmers, and help preserve our environment...join a CSA!


Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a great way to save money on produce while making an environmentally conscious choice. With community supported agriculture, the community member makes an investment in the farm and the farmer's salary in return for a "share" of the crop. Typically, this consists of a weekly delivery of produce for a season. It can be an economically sound decision as the investment can often be shared with another person or family. In addition, it keeps money circulating locally and cuts down on the resources needed to transport produce when purchased locally.

You can find out more about CSA's and find a local CSA farm by visiting The United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library .

Another benefit...Research has shown that the fresher the produce, the more nutrient dense! Reducing travel time ensures that you are getting the freshest produce possible and by developing a relationship with the farmer, you become familiar with his farming practices, including what kind of pesticides (if any) are being used.

Let Your Inner Light Shine!

"To acknowledge that there are areas in our lives in which we excel is to fully realize the potential that lurks in every one of us. Although many of us are taught from childhood to downplay our aptitudes so as not to appear immodest, we gain little from dampening the glow of our inner light. When we let our light shine forth brightly, we discover that there are many people who can benefit from our skills and talents. Whether or not we receive accolades for these gifts is typically less important than our choosing to use them to make the world a better place. We are rewarded for our openness with the discovery that abilities with which we have been endowed are more valuable than we had imagined them to be. You will feel brilliant today when you recognize that you have so much to offer."  -www.dailyom.com

Although I am not a mom, Mothers Day has moved me into a state of appreciation for my own mom and for the miracle that is life. My thoughts have been taken on an interesting route this Mother's Day weekend as I have connected with so many other moms at the "Day for Babes" event through the Common Unity Center, and I have reflected on the purpose that we all have and the deep connection and affect that we have on each other on a daily basis. 

What is your passion? What is your purpose? Don't let fear prevent you from being all that you can be, all that you're meant to be in this life. Take baby steps. Figure out your passion, your goal, and then take one small step each day, or even each week, until it becomes reality. Reach out to others for support. Tell them what you are doing!! You would be surprised how people WANT to support you.

If you are interested in sharing your passion, please visit The Common Unity Center to connect with like-minded others and share your gifts!!