Toes in the water, Ass in the sand...

That's the lyrics in a song I'm listening to. The fella was like, "life is good today" ... I thought, my god that's perfect. Sitting there on the beach, toes in the water, ass in the sand with a cold beer in your hand. (just one or two, unless you have to drive) I'm not a fan of drinking in the heat but relaxing and having no place in particular to go sure seems enticing.

Body kissed by the sun, what a great description. Don't you think? I do... There's so much trash in musi today where they're just "out there" with references about sex, dating and drugs too. I'm on the polite end of things because I don't think we need to get all that raunchy when we've got a perfectly good imagination going for us.

I mean can you just visualize sitting some where by yourself, relaxing, having nothing to do? Maybe bring a significant other with you or just a friend period.

Sometimes, in life, we get trapped up in our responsibilities and forget to take time for ourselves. We wistfully think about when we're going to take that vacation or when we're going to sit back and do nothing specific. Those youthfull carefree times seem so far away. And to think, we were bored back then. Remember that?

I keep thinking about how the whole world is in such a hurry. I was talking to a guy from Illinois yesterday, he was so laid back and a pleasure to talk to I wondered why I live where I live. The energy of everyone around me can feel pretty draining, the stress of the hussle and bussle in every day life really can take it's toll on a person. Never mind the energy emitted from those around us that can be over powering as well.

I went up to New York State to visit some friends of mine a couple weeks ago and every morning I would get up and take a couple mile walk. Nothing but me and my music, fresh air, some hills and woods all around me. I have to say, my step was lighter, I felt better mentally, phyisically and emotionally too. I had a couple hours of uninterupted thought for two whole days in a row. Now, I don't know about you but that kind of therapy feels so good, you don't even want to think about going back to the city.

I started thinking about this adult ADD stuff and how we've mistakenly assumed that with all the technology in the world today making things faster so we can do more, the pressure put on us by our employer, tight schedules we have schlepping the kids around, cleaning the house, paying bills, etc., that we've bogged ourselves down so much that we can't hep but be over whelmed. Then we slap a label/diagnosis on it and POOF... another "something" for doctors to diagnose and give us a little pill for.

What about, realizing we're cramming too much garbage into one day? What about learning how to streamline what we're doing asking for help, setting things up so we have some quiet time to ourselves? Even if that means we get up before everyone in the house does and just sitting there... doing absolutely nothing. Course, if you live with someone who hasn't grasped this concept, they may get restentfull that you've got free time and they don't. You'll have to help them out a little bit so they feel as good as you're going to.

Folks, these are the simple things in life that we lose sight of, or never thought of before. We NEED to take care of ourselves in order to feel good. Otherwise, life is just going to bog you down. Emotionally, physically, mentally... I promise you it will bog you down. You can only ignore it for so long.

As drove home from N.Y. State, I felt the stress settle into my lower back, down into my knee (where it seems to have migrated to) and I knew I was going home, back to all the congestion, polluted air, crazy drivers with no courtesy, defensive people and demanding job.

Most of it's self imposed. We're so pre-conditioned by things that we forget to take care of ourselves.

Here's my prescription for today...

Learn to delegate...
Learn to ask for help...
Learn to streamline your life...
Learn how to relax...
Get up earlier...
Find something that soothes your mind on a daily basis... my almost favorite "something" is my music. This iPod I just bought was the best thing I've ever purchased.
Laugh often, make it a deep belly laugh :) because those are the best kind.

I have a motive too behind this post, I want the people around me relaxed too. All that negative stressed energy adds to my own. No matter how much I block it out, deflect it or ignore it... it seeps into my system when I'm not looking...

So, last but not least, chose people to be around who don't ooze sludge from their very being... You can feel the difference if you pay attention. Little by little you can eliminate being around them as much.

Anyway, food for thought this morning. I'm going to listen to some more of my music.