"Take these chains from my heart and set me free"
I've noticed several posts lately where it seems that others in our wonderful community feel like I do...like my gifts are too small, too simple, too easy, too, too something. I realized tonight, sitting here with my husband, listening to the music of great songwriters, that ceratin attitudes make it necessary to change gears once in while.
I've begun to feel pressured (self-imposed) to craft a blog every day about the gift of that particular day. Some days, I have to choose which give I want to post about, as I've taken advantage of many opportunities that revealed themselves to me. Some days, life is in charge and I've had to give of my own initiative or creativity. I can honestly say that giving has become a natural part of my day-to-day world. Overall, I feel more kind to myself and to others. And I believe that's the core of 29 Gifts - kindness, awareness of what we have to offer the world, and opening our hearts.
I feel that I need to spend a bit of time on myself and release the pressure I've put on myself. I need to restructure my focus on eating healthy on a consistent basis. I need to resume my yoga and meditation practice. Most importantly I need to regain my balance. I need to spend time on the best parts of myself, and know that whatever I have to give, on any given day, is enough.
Regarding my posts, I'll always be here, but not so structured and forced. To take a classic line from Hank Williams, "take these chains from my heart and set me free."
I've begun to feel pressured (self-imposed) to craft a blog every day about the gift of that particular day. Some days, I have to choose which give I want to post about, as I've taken advantage of many opportunities that revealed themselves to me. Some days, life is in charge and I've had to give of my own initiative or creativity. I can honestly say that giving has become a natural part of my day-to-day world. Overall, I feel more kind to myself and to others. And I believe that's the core of 29 Gifts - kindness, awareness of what we have to offer the world, and opening our hearts.
I feel that I need to spend a bit of time on myself and release the pressure I've put on myself. I need to restructure my focus on eating healthy on a consistent basis. I need to resume my yoga and meditation practice. Most importantly I need to regain my balance. I need to spend time on the best parts of myself, and know that whatever I have to give, on any given day, is enough.
Regarding my posts, I'll always be here, but not so structured and forced. To take a classic line from Hank Williams, "take these chains from my heart and set me free."
Comment
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Comment by Eileen on February 10, 2010 at 5:19pm -
OOPSY-Daisy.......it would happen....I mixed you up with Joyce because that's how I ended up at your comments!
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Comment by Eileen on February 10, 2010 at 5:18pm
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Hi Joyce....just caught up with some blogs from a week ago....I say AMEN to everyone's comments below. I so get it and have experienced that. Now I'm being easier about playing this game, thus easier on myself.
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Comment by Southernly on February 8, 2010 at 10:09am -
A big thank you to all who have posted on this blog. It is so wonderful to have your support and know that I'm not alone! :-)
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Comment by yonkersbaby on February 8, 2010 at 6:46am -
Southernly, seems like I was led here to your post! Always like to check on my 29giver friends' blogs, especially yours, since U & I are on a similar path 'Earth-time' wise (round 3). Your recent thoughts are echos of mine. My blogs have become more concise. Although I read other blogs, I am making an effort to release myself from the self-induced pressure of writing here daily. Had a thousand books (OK like, ten LOL) on my nightstand, in an effort to 'find an answer' 'improve myself' etc. then I put them back on the shelf, I am OK as I am! Coming to understand the peace of letting GO! The gift is recognizing the ways I am already contributing, & realising that I am right where I am supposed to be, in the "now". PS Recently resumed my yoga practice too ;-). One day at a time...
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Comment by Susan Young on February 7, 2010 at 11:09pm -
Well, you read my mind! I couldn't agree more- that the posts may seem burdensome at times. We all have enough pressure in our lives. As long as we give, we don't have to document everything. I am sure this is not about a scorecard. Eating healthy, meditating and regaining balance---top of the priority lists...please let me know how you are doing. The hardest part is getting started....
Hugs my friend~
Susan
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Comment by Mailornish on February 1, 2010 at 6:06am -
Great Post! I can relate to your feelings and I understand that desire to not be so structured but to let the intuition direct your days. Wonderful observation about the kindness, awareness and opening of hearts that this giving challenge helps us realize.
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Comment by Toye on January 31, 2010 at 4:42pm -
Thanks Southernly for this reminder! I, too, have at times put too much pressure on myself and have even experienced some guilt about not doing this exactly "right"! I love your statement that "whatever I have to give, on any givenn day, is enough."
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Comment by llgarrity on January 31, 2010 at 4:16pm -
And to quote another favorite of mine-
"Take it easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
and take it easy"
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Comment by Deb~ Community Manager on January 31, 2010 at 7:19am -
Will carry this in my heart Southernly~ Enjoy all of your days and wishing you much happiness~
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Comment by Myra Wolf on January 31, 2010 at 6:43am -
I love this post.
Giving time, love and balance to yourself is your gift. It should be a gift we give to ourselves every single day. I love reading stories and listening to stories of what people have done for themselves too.
My day 3 of giving is giving to me. I will only do what I wanted to do for me. I will only do the things that made me happy and balanced. I will focus on me. I won't do my nails or things like that. I will simply allow myself to go into whatever direction I want to head toward. No mental dialog with myself. I just let myself "float". Something I have said often to myself, (after seeing a movie years ago with a line in it that hit home, "Home for the Holidays", inwhich Holly Hunter says to herself, "Float baby, just float." For years now, when I notice my balance is spinning all over the place and in the 20 seconds I might notice me and how I am feeling.......I say, "Float baby, just float".:
So, if you see a blog title from me that says Float baby, just float, you will know on that day I am floating as my gift to me. That day may not contain enough to write the world about but just hearing the word float for me is enough.
and by the way.....I love reading "floating" stories :)
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