Stop! Be Well
I’m a person who enjoys having a lot of projects ongoing all the time. Still, I recognize that stillness and reflection are crucial for the projects to succeed. At work this is most true. We have several tests we are giving the kids right now and the pressure is on to see them succeed. Whether it is subject/predicate standards or just plain spelling, we as teachers are thinking about what we can do to get them to score the highest. In the process, I think many classes get burned out and do less than they would have given more PE or just restful time in class to prepare.
At home this is prevalent. My kids are reaching up for me (ages 1,3, and 10) metaphorically or literally and I can feel the pull on my attention. I am thinking about my blogs and the things I need to do as a normal grownup in the world at home but they aren’t concerned about any of that. Kids don’t think outside the box, they live outside the box. Do I push them off or do I spend time with each of them. Again, the forced stillness is so crucial to happy and healthy parenting. I try to spend time with each of them even if I am not 100% successful. Of course, the time with my wife is also crucial. Am I making enough time to be romantic? This is a priority for me, even though my wife might not agree with that statement!
What is it you are rushing to do? Make sure you take the time for stillness. You will find it boosts your productivity and gives you a paradigm shift. You’ll never know until you try!
Related posts
Tags: being still, kids, mental health, productivity
For me, I think my “stillness” is pretty much when I’m chillin on the couch between about 11:00-1:00 each night watchin’ TV….except for when my dog decides that it would be a good idea to bark excessively!
It is nice to do something “still” and let your brain rest and relax a little bit and seems to help relieve stress as well.
Nicks last blog post..Cycling 4 A Cure & Running America
Thanks for the comments recently Nick, really insightful.
You’re welcome. I try to be insightful and add to the conversation when I comment, but some are better than others :S
Thank you for your comments on my site as well.
Nicks last blog post..Cycling 4 A Cure & Running America
Taking a break is definitely important…I have way too much going on at once, to the point I’ve stopped doing lots of things! Hopefully though we’ll get focused one of these days :)
Why are we so afraid to do it? I know that’s my problem. Every time I stop to “linger” I get better ideas.
This is something I am learning myself right now. A big shift in the way our family is set up put me as the primary carer (mine are 2 (today), 3 and 5) and suddenly there are three little people that need my best writing time. The gears are still grinding from the change.
Lord Matts last blog post..Why bread is more expensive and who is to blame?
Wonderful words, Damien!!!! Sometimes I think as a society we are so worried about being “Super Mom” (or Dad!) and no matter where you work, the constant pressures to outperform any previous results are increasing as well.
If you don’t take these kinds of breaks, you will break and you won’t be able to give anything to anybody. Thank you for always being the voice of reason!
Jessica The Rock Chicks last blog post..Listen Up
I couldn’t agree more about the importance of stillness. Our latest challenge is our oldest who just started junior high. Can we talk HOMEWORK? She has so much Pre-Algebra homework every night. It’s killing her and killing us. After spending 1-2 hours, off and on, helping her, she still feel like we didn’t spend quality time with her. As a girl, she loves to talk and stay up late, and eat chocolate chips. We are giving her more of our time than the other four kids combined.
Stillness. So important. So valuable. Getting a little here and there…challenging.