Monday, March 3, 2014

Therapeutic

Our weekends are usually packed with activities. Ever since we got here I haven't wanted to waste a minute. I want to see and do and eat everything. Weekends seem so short so we try to enjoy every minute. On Friday, as I was shopping for the 3 day Dr. Oz cleanse I was starting Saturday, I decided that it would be best to just hang around home, that way I wouldn't be tempted by food and tempted to shop, since I am trying to do a "no spend" March. I hate to admit it, but my first thought was, "if I do nothing all weekend, what am I going to blog about?" That's when I decided to take a weekend to focus on myself. How often do we just sit and focus on what our minds and bodies need?

This weekend was nothing short of therapeutic. I slept in later than usual. I drank tea and did yoga in the morning. I drank my Dr. Oz smoothies all day long. I took my vitamins and other supplements. I cleaned. I read. I did projects around the house. I blogged. I thought about the future and wrote down my goals and dreams. I ran. I gave myself a pedicure. I took Lexie on walks. I took a detox bath at the end of everyday.



I read the most inspiring book I have read in a long time, Cold Tangerines. It is about enjoying and appreciating life's little moments. Thanks Julia for the wonderful book and I can't wait to read the next one!

There were a few paragraphs that really hit me:

"The only option, as I see it, is this delicate weaving of action and celebration, of intention and expectation. Let's act, read, protest, protect, picket, learn, advocate for, fight against, but let's be careful that in the midst of all that accomplishing and organizing, we don't bulldoze over a world that's teaming with beauty and hope and redemption all around us and in the meantime. Before the wars are over, before the cures are found, before the wrongs are righted, Today, humble Today, presents itself to us with all the ceremony and bling of a glittering diamond ring: Wear me, it says. Wear me out. Love me, dive into me, discover me, it pleads with us."

We all want to do good in the world, to make a difference, to make a change. We try to fight all of the bad in the world, and we never stop to appreciate the good in life. We always talk about the wars and the diseases, but never talk about the little victories, the good deeds. We are always looking to get somewhere, not appreciating each day and what it holds. 


On wanting the big, movie-worthy moments in life:

"The Big Moment, unfortunately, is an urban myth. Some people have them, in a sense, when they win the Heisman or become the next American Idol. But even that football player or that singer is living a life made up of more than that one moment. Life is a collection of a million, billion moments, tiny little moments and choices, like a handful of luminous, glowing pearls. And strung together, built upon one another, lined up through the days and years, they make a life, a person. It takes so much time, and so much work, and those beads and moments are so small, and so much less fabulous and dramatic than the movies."

I know I am guilty of wanting and wishing for the next milestone in life to happen. We all think that these milestones, graduating, getting married, having babies, are the defining moments of our lives. Those moments are few and far in-between, were as the little moments are the ones that tie everything together. I know I have to appreciate the little moments in life instead of waiting for the next big moment to come around.

During my therapeutic weekend, I decided to write a letter to my future self. I want to remember this stage in life. I want to remind myself what makes me happy and to celebrate the good and enjoy the little moments. I wanted to document such a happy time in our life as a reminder when we face hardships and struggles. I wanted to write down all the things I love about Jake, because I know there will be days in the distant future that we will struggle and I will need a reminder. 



This weekend was just what I needed. This cleanse wasn't easy, but it was nice to focus on self-control. My body and mind feel renewed and now I am ready for whatever life is going to throw at me. When was the last time you had a me day? 



Linking up with Monday Morning Gossip and Funday Monday

14 comments:

  1. Sometimes you definitely need those quiet weekends and time to recharge and refresh! I have that book, too,it's a good one!

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  2. I want that book! :) I always make it a point to have a me day since work has been pretty busy. 2 days off is a me day! :)

    http://thewallflowersecrets.com

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  3. I've had my eye on that book for a while! Sadly it will be a little before I can bring myself to get it, since I already ordered my max # of books for March (crazy, I know). So glad to hear you are enjoying it! A lazy day is sometimes just what we need. That sounds so wonderful. I also love your Lilly Pulitzer planner and journal (Ive been wanting some of those!) Hope you enjoyed your cleanse! Perhaps summer I'll get around to doing one..
    Katherine
    www.newsomsnestblog.com

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  4. Your weekend sounds absolutely perfect. What a relaxing and rejuvenating time for youreself!

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  5. This sounds just like the kind of weekend I need!

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  6. Your weekend sounds similar to mine! I had a busy week, so Saturday, I slept in and just enjoyed having time to myself with no schedule. I might have to try the 3-day cleanse...I've never done one before but have been wanting to try!
    xo

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  7. At church yesterday, the pastor was speaking about this very topic: enjoying and seeing the blessings in every day rather than waiting for the BIG moment! Such a good reminder :)

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  8. sounds like such a great weekend! So glad you got some me time. And I will have to get that books-sounds great!

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  9. I love this. I am guilty, too, of rushing to the next season and not savoring the here and now. I think I might need to do a detox of sorts. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Hi Kenz! I loved this post, and I am SO glad you enjoyed the book. The second one is called Bittersweet and is just as good. I will get it in the mail to you ASAP!

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  11. This sounds like the perfect weekend! I love having "me" time and think it is so important!

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  12. What a great weekend to recharge and gain some perspective! I had a few hours to myself yesterday...I wasn't nearly as productive as you. But I did go shopping! haha. How was the detox? Really? I have thought about doing one when I am done breastfeeding...but I don't know if I have the self control!

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  13. I did the same thing this weekend. My boyfriend was out of town so I decided to stay at my apartment both days! I did a LOT around the apartment and wrote goals and things I want to accomplish. It feels so great to sometimes disconnect from the world and have some "me" time. I feel I'm more energized and ready for this week. :)

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  14. I read a sample of that book and now I want to read it all! I loved the part about the Big Moment. Glad you had a great weekend focusing on yourself!

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