Friday, March 04, 2005
Overachievers, take a breath of fresh air
I feel fortunate that as a young child I spent my summers by the sea, in a small village in the Gaspe area. I think it was those summers picking wild strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and playing along the shore collecting seashells that instilled in me a deep appreciation of nature. There was no TV and few toys. Playing outside was it. To this day, I love being in nature, whether for a walk by the river in a large city park or in the wild areas of the Gatineau or the Laurentians.
If you are an overachiever, you most likely feel a twinge of anxiety most of the time. A sense of urgency. Too many projects, not enough hours. You may not be ready for a full week of wilderness camping. Start with a slow walk in a city park at lunch time. Slow enough to take the time to see what's around you, to hear the birds. Slow means slow down and then slow down some more until it becomes totally unlike your usual pace. Leave the office behind. Concentrate on the sounds and sights of nature. Set a ritual to do it at a specific time on specific days of the week. Write it down in your day planner and respect that date with yourself.
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
If you are an overachiever, you most likely feel a twinge of anxiety most of the time. A sense of urgency. Too many projects, not enough hours. You may not be ready for a full week of wilderness camping. Start with a slow walk in a city park at lunch time. Slow enough to take the time to see what's around you, to hear the birds. Slow means slow down and then slow down some more until it becomes totally unlike your usual pace. Leave the office behind. Concentrate on the sounds and sights of nature. Set a ritual to do it at a specific time on specific days of the week. Write it down in your day planner and respect that date with yourself.
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
