Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Living Mindfully

I don't make New Year's resolutions, and technically this is all a result of having the doctor tell me that all of my ails are stress related, but as 2007 came to a close I realized that I am not really living my life. I am rushing through it.

Once again I find myself focusing on living mindfully, experiencing the moment. Whether quilting, writing, reading or just being, I need to be aware of what is happening.

As I begin, this means not entering into projects with a deadline. Quilt swaps and challenges are fun, but not when I save them 'til the last moment to complete. Writing toward a deadline lately seems to mean a rushed story that lacks much.

I will take time to explore and learn. I will let the story direct me instead of trying to force it into a mold. I will allow first drafts and learning quilts to have flaws, and watch for improvement as I go.

Even my diet has become mindless. How can my body deal properly with stress when I can't even say what I fed it?

I might not accomplish as much, but in the long run I will have projects I can be proud of, that show my enjoyment for what I do.

Isn't that what life is about? Enjoyment?

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