Today has gotten off to a slow start for me. Ever had a morning like that? The “to do” list is piled high, and yet nothing seems to fall into place?

 It occurred to me to pause and figure out what is going on here? I decided to take a look at where my mind has taken me thus far this morning…

 I noted that I had been reflecting back and processing on several interactions I found myself witnessing yesterday. Interesting the strife and struggle we humans find ourselves in. There was the intense emotional conflict between two families. Then there was intriguing conversation that challenged my brain to think about things I had not ever entertained before. Then there was a challenging financial dilemma to address. The day ended with a family member sharing heartfelt life challenges.

Next I started laying out all the outstanding “to do’s” on my list and began to feel a bit overwhelmed with it all. About that time my friend called and asked me what I was up to. I commented on it being a “slow-start” morning. I enumerated the projects I am currently involved in and the ones I need to complete. In that conversation I also discovered that I have a major problem with my computer. To that point, I didn’t realize I wasn’t receiving important messages.

She replied, “Whew, girl! You’ve got a lot going on! I have to hang up and go sit on my patio. I am overwhelmed just listening to it all!” That’s when it occurred to me why I perhaps am having a slow start morning. Could it be too much stuff running through my head, all at the same time? 

What good does it do to constantly run over it all in our head, over and over like a movie? Time to do what you know works, Rosie. Focus on one thing at a time. Give it your all and forget the rest for a moment. Hmm, could it be that some of the rest can be forgotten, period?

It is interesting that the last day or two I have felt the overwhelming urge to tear into a drawer or a closet or a room. Throw away/give away what is not being used. Clear out some of the old to create a vacuum so the new has a place to come in. Perhaps my subconscious is trying to tell me something?

Suddenly it occurred to me: our mind is like that. Sometimes it gets so full of old junk, that it is time to clear and de-clutter. Give it away, throw it away, clean it out, and create space so the fresh and new has a place to enter and reside.

Perhaps those painful life circumstances occurring in the lives of those you love are meant to be there, are necessary for their own personal growth? Perhaps our role is to be a good listener, but not absorb all the strife and claim it as our own?

Perhaps the different views we are exposed to are designed to challenge our own thinking, expand our personal growth?

Perhaps the challenges we face are designed to make the success we’ll experience oh, so sweet and so gratifying?

Perhaps the smart thing to do is release, surrender, clear out the old, and yeah, focus on one thing at a time?

The following quote from David Hawkins addresses yet one other aspect:

“Make a gift of your life and lift all mankind by being kind,
considerate, forgiving, and compassionate at all times, in all
places, and under all conditions, with everyone as well
as yourself. This is the greatest gift anyone can give.”

While we are extending ourselves to be available to help others, perhaps we also need to remember to be kind to ourselves.