Here we are at the end of the week again. A chance to breathe and refresh, enjoy our personal time with family, friends and ourselves. Ah, The Weekend! Until most recently, I found myself surviving the week to recoup over the weekends. The rush and busy week days of being full-time Wife, Mom, and Educator had me overwhelmed with anxiety and exhaustion. I think I knew it but honestly denied it to myself and anyone who might have asked how I was doing. “I was great!” was the typical response, usually followed up with “Busy!”, but it came with the choices I made professionally to be in the leadership role I enjoyed and I was okay with that (or so I said to myself and everyone). Here’s the thing, I know I was tired. Every end of day felt like a Friday afternoon after a hectic week.

In our society, at least for many in my generation, we work to make a difference. We hope to leave our community and world a bit brighter, and better than now. To do this, we push ourselves and everyone around us to be the best they can be. Our constant push to do it better and better leads us to greater opportunities, yes, but there is a shadow side to this. It becomes challenging to locate and accept the time to allow breathing space for the sole purpose to enjoy the current moment. For this reason, relaxation is limited to weekends and vacations. In our minds, we are constantly needing to push for something to consider ourselves effective. Be a better parent, child, employee, leader…this gets to be EXHAUSTING! We need to accept our need for reflection and allow ourselves freedom to step away from constant performing.

So, here’s a question for you to reflect on. What do you absolutely love to do when you have no requirements of time, nothing scheduled, no chores, no work, just you time? When was the last time you completed this activity? Was it recent? Or do you have a tough time remembering the last time? For me, it is singing in a choir. Learning music and practicing to make it sound as the composers intended. It is a joyful activity that I absolutely love. It’s been seven years for me. Definitely, time to get back to it!

I encourage you to find that joyful activity, whatever it is, and make a plan for it to

Children know how to make it look so easy. Find your carefree joy and with all the rest of your worries, let it go!!!

happen in your life, regularly! Quite possibly,  it will guide you to a more balanced week and life (even in the crazy!).  You can let go of your internal pushing and give yourself the freedom and time to enjoy life, to breathe, and refresh. The best part of you will shine when you stay true to who you are meant to be. To do this, you must know who you are and what you love. Take the time to find your joy in the busy week of living and you will surprise yourself at how purposeful your life becomes.

Stop the constant pushing, pushing, pushing, Let It Go!

Carrie Ruth  #shineon