WE MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF KINDERGARTEN! Hooray! So Saturday found me really working to take my own advice and do nothing. It was a splendidly mellow day including, but not limited to, reading, rest, baking (and eating most of) a chocolate zucchini cake, Mary Poppins and a very engaging art project at the picnic table in the back yard.
Our art time stretched on and on, as we added colors and layers and traded papers around the table. And I kept catching myself—the person who has devoted the last dozen years to the Alexander Technique—lifting my shoulders, hunching toward my paper and holding my breath.
Old habits die hard.
Back to basics. Over and over and over and over…
Pause
Blow a Feather
Lighten UP
I tried not to be too pedantic as I explained to the children that I got in the habit of hunching and holding my breath when I was their age and that if they choose to pay attention now, they might save themselves a lot of pain and frustration later on. Their responses varied: Completely Ignore, Lift the Shoulders More, Lighten UP. Well one out of three ain’t bad.
What are you working on this week? What are you engaged in? Even if it’s delightful, can you PAUSE and BREATHE and LIGHTEN UP? You’ll thank me later.
A student once told me a story that sums this up perfectly. She was happily working away in her garden on a beautiful spring day. Her husband poked his head out the door.
“Do you want a snack?”
“No thanks!” she replied. Awhile later he stuck his head out again.
“Do you want to take a little break?”
“No, I’m good!” And later…
“Are you sure you don’t need a break? Maybe some water?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Some time later, she decided it was time to get up and go inside. Easier said than done.
“Um… honey? Can you come help me up? I’m stuck here. I can’t stand up.”
Start now. Think of what you are going to do next. But first,
Pause
Blow a Feather
Lighten UP