Relax is one of those words where saying it to yourself invokes certain visual images.
Relax.
How many of you envisioned beaches and rum drinks?
I know I did.
Relax.
Maybe you thought of yoga or a massage.
Also good.
Relax.
Ok, so how many of you thought about simply about being at home, with no work or chores or responsibilities. Just sitting, being quiet.
For me, definitely.
And how many of you, when thinking of sitting still with nothing to do get a feeling akin to petting the cat the wrong way? Just can't do it. No way no how.
Interesting, isn't it? For many people, sitting quietly at home with nothing to do is considered both lazy and immoral.
Personally, I've always been really good at allowing myself to relax. If I need a nap, I take it. I give myself permission to have downtime.
I don't think sleeping when your body needs it and planning for downtime is either lazy or selfish. It's sane and reasonable.
The Good Man often says that I taught him the value of The Flop. Come home from work, change into comfy, non-binding clothes, then flop on the bed. Just for a while. Twenty minutes maybe? Let the day slow down. Hug both cat and spouse.
And THEN you are in such a better mood to get up and make dinner. Food tastes better when you are happy and relaxed while you cook.
Really, children and cats have it right. Eat a little. Play a little. Nap a little.
It's when we get to be grownups that our minds get twisted by the shoulda, woulda, couldas.
Today, I reject all of them and say, simply, relax.
Embrace The Flop.
(This post is a good reminder to myself as much as anyone. Sometimes even I get caught up in the moving too fast, gotta get it done, go go go mentality).
Theme Thursday's theme of the week is: Relax
Photo by Joseph Hoban and provided royalty free via stock.xchng
