When the Universe Says STOP – It’s Time to Listen

I knew I was pushing hard these last couple of months. I made a conscious decision to and felt justified to do so. And I believed I was managing just fine, thank you very much.

Ok, yes, I was feeling exhausted and not savouring the weekends, but I’d convinced myself I was doing fine, everything’s fine, and I’m totally on top of it all – this is all part of the process – right?!

And then the universe stepped in.

I was walking with my youngest out of the schoolyard engrossed in the topic of the moment and next thing I know – I’m on all fours – right knee skinned and bruised, both palms red from the impact, and my left ankle screaming with intense pain. I rolled my ankle over the curb I failed to see.

Within seconds I knew this wasn’t going to be good. I spent a couple moments assessing the situation, hobbled to the van grimacing in pain, breathing deep with the constant reminder that I was not okay.

Once home, I attended to my ankle and rested on the couch for the remainder of the day. I napped and went to bed early. I was reminded how exhausted I actually was.

I needed the physical reminder to slow down, to notice where I am in this story, and to be attentive to myself. Full STOP! I was not practicing what I preach.

I don’t know about you, but I can get caught up in the do, do, do and quickly forget to be, be, be.

Sometimes I need an external intervention to remind me to slow down and pay attention. To stop convincing myself that all this busy work is necessary and so incredibly important. It’s NOT if I become collateral damage.

All those things you “have to” and “should do” – do you really? Why?

Are they really more important than your health, wellness, and contentment?

What would happen if for just today you decided, made the choice to just be – no lists, no planning, no saying “yes” to others – instead, said “yes” to YOU – to rest and to attend to yourself?

What would it feel like to put yourself first? If you could do today your way, without any attachment to a specific outcome, what would you do?

For me, this weekend I will be resting. No plans, no to-do lists, just let it unfold organically and be okay with just being.

The universe has given me a gift and I’m going to unwrap it with gratitude and wonder because this is exactly what I need.