As we put a bow on 2014, and set sail on the good ship 2015, perhaps it is a time to review our life’s activities. Without question, life today involves being busy. A full calendar is viewed as a badge of honor to be admired.
When I talk to family members, friends and business associates they openly share how stressed out they are! Thus, we should heed the wisdom of Socrates: “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”
I clearly support the notion that as adults we should be productive. My concern lays in our obsession with work. Technology keeps us connected to our work 24/7. The fast pace of life has a negative impact on families – being too busy causes stress.
I suspect that most of us have failed at “staying in the moment” at a family dinner because our thoughts were focused on “work” or we tuned out when a loved one or friend was sharing their thoughts or feelings with us. Why? Because we were preoccupied thinking about all the things on our to do list!
As a reformed workaholic, I am guilty of all of the above. After open-heart surgery some years ago, I reflected on the purpose and true meaning of life.
Today, I give myself time for me. This enables me to be more mindful and to stay in the moment, and savor that moment! I work to be more thoughtful and less judgmental. I nurture my curiosity and laugh a great deal more!
Life in the 21st century in America is busy, without a doubt. Perhaps our frantic days are just a hedge against a feeling of emptiness. We all need time to dream and refresh, and celebrate being human!
The quest for “me-time” opens the door to personal freedom! When is the last time you sought out time simply in the pursuit of being happy?
Busy lives and job responsibilities tend to drive us to doing “things” and deprive us from being curious and enjoying the essence of living. When is the last time any of us took the time to admire the beauty and wonder of a sunset?
May I offer a creative thought? In the New Year, in order to really live, let us all commit to do less thinking and more caring! Caring about how we spend our days, and caring who we give our time to. And, showing the people we love how much we care.
Americans spend an average of two hours and 42 minutes a day on their smartphones, according to mobile analytics firm Flurry.
Most of us do not take all of our vacation days. According to “The Oxford Assessment of Paid Time off in The United States,” American workers left a full 429 million days of paid vacation on the table in 2013. That’s 2.4 days per person, on average. Studies have demonstrated that skipping vacation time is detrimental both to your health and to your ability to perform at work. It also affects quality time spent with family and loved ones.
We need to set goals for the New Year that bring us joy. Let me be quite clear, I believe in the strong American work ethic. However, it is my desire and wish that we all seek more balance in life, and celebrate and enjoy the gift of life.
My 2015 New Year resolutions are:
· To listen – which will help me stay in the moment.
· To learn – which will enrich me each day
· To laugh – which will reduce my stress level.
· To love more – which will help to show the people I care about how much they really mean to me.
· To let go – Of the negative people in my life, and past hurts! Which will give me the opportunity to focus on the present and to live for the day!
