I am in Galway, alone. Oh, I am with friends. However, I am not with Nick. He and Arden are up in Donegal and I will join them on Monday.
This weekend I am presenting at a conference on Mothering at Galway University. My talk is entitled, “The Unexpected Mothering Story. When the story doesn’t go as planned.” The subject matter is the journey of raising a child with severe disabilities. All the prep work is done and the conference starts tonight.
This afternoon I had nothing scheduled and this table in the sunshine called to me. Using technology, I began playing Phil Coulter’s albums on my I-Phone, and pulled out my knitting. It was glorious. With a soft breeze blowing gently, my body relaxed for the first time in a long time.
Finding time to give myself respite has been hard for me. Many of my friends have tried to counsel me to find time to relax and I have known that they were speaking the truth. It is not so easy to implement when I have felt so responsible for so many things for so long.
Daisy’s dancing in the breeze, and seagulls soaring above the roof tops. Their call forces me to watch them. They flap their wings like mad, up and up, then at the apex, they stretch out and glide, seemingly forever.
I realize that is what respite can do for us. If we are only busily flapping our wings, without taking the time to soar, we will exhaust ourselves. I have lived in a state of exhaustion for a very long time.
I am learning that breaks don’t have to be long or planned. They can be spontaneous and brief, as long as they are refreshing and revitalizing. I am intrigued as I look for these moments that center me and balance my life. I relish these moments.
What have you found that balances your life? Share your thoughts with me.
Please share this blog if it resonates with you or you know someone who might benefit from it. If you want to get a copy of the book as soon as it is available, click here to sign up.
