Taking Time

I started reading a book with two of my friends called "A Book That Takes Its Time" by Irene Smit and Astrid Van der Hulst. We found the book on a recent trip to Redmond, OR. Me and my friend drove to Bend, OR to visit another friend who had just moved there. We decided to drive to Redmond and Sisters, OR for the day. While walking around the quaint little downtown of Redmond we came upon a small bookstore, it was a lovely place called Herringbone Books in Historic downtown. We walked in and the smell of books was amazing. As we were perusing titles one of my friends came upon this book and we all decided to complete it together. Even though we live in different cities, we thought how nice it would be to complete it as a group. Holding each other accountable and sharing what we find sounded like a perfect idea. It just so happened the gentleman behind the counter had just purchased the bookstore the day before. He was really amazing and we all bonded over the love of books and stories.

The book is about taking time to reflect on the good things in life and for carving out space to create. One of the first things the authors talk about is finding time to do nothing. That often times it is in the moments we carve out to be still that so much can come to you. In the day and age of technology that we are in I find it harder and harder to sit and do nothing. Meditation is something I have been working on bringing back into my life, and this book seems to come at the exact right moment, as everything seems to. I am looking forward to the journey with my incredible friends!

I finished another book recently that really hit home, Waking Up In Winter by Cheryl Richardson. In the book she makes a remark that hit deep, she said she realized she has more years behind her than ahead. This has really become a reality in my life now that I am entering my mid 40's. Perhaps I can live a long life, I don't know but I know that in my family history it is probably a true statement. This has really been something I have been thinking about so much recently. I am not sure yet what this all means for me but I am starting to meditate on it and to really dig deep on what this means. I know that appreciating each day is important, but the knowing that as I get older the years are passing by so fast, quicker than ever is becoming real that life is so short. I want to live my life with more purpose, more intention. I want to spend more time with the people I love, but I also want to cultivate a relationship with myself that is more loving and kind. I am starting to listen to my body more and resting when needed. I am wanting to make decisions with the intention of living my authentic self and to make decisions that honor what brings me joy. It seems almost selfish, but it is becoming necessary for me. I wonder if I were to die tomorrow have I really done all that I can in this life? There is so much I want to do, so many places I wish to see. I am trying to find the balance of money, bills but also travel. One step at a time, that is what keeps coming to me, to just take it one step at a time, but be sure to put intention to all that I do. I am starting to ask myself "does this decision align with what I want in life?" This is becoming a more important question with each decision and each year that passes by. I am not sure yet how my life will develop and where this all leads, but I know there has been a shift deep within and taking a little step each day is what is important. I am also starting to take chances on things that maybe I wouldn't have before, because if you don't take chances you'll never be able to get to where you really want. There is another quote in Mary Oliver's poem The Summer Day that is really aligned with how I am feeling, "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" What a GREAT question, and one that is resonating so deeply within me right now. So ask yourself, what is it you plan to do? Namaste :)