Living Outside the Lines: “The Pure Bliss of Ahhhhh!”

by, Becky J Miller

 

Go, go, go and go some more!!!  Sound familiar?  With our forty-hour plus work- weeks, packed social calendars, kids’ pursuits, and church/community activities plus all the requirements of running a household:  laundry, grocery shopping, house cleaning, cooking, and dishes, relaxation has become a priceless commodity.

 

Lest anyone think I am casting stones, I will openly admit an inability to just be.  Sitting still is not one of my strengths. On the rare occasions when I am still, I work hard to convince myself that there is value in tranquility rather than considering it a waste of precious time.

 

Even the Creator of the universe rested on the seventh day after His work was complete, so what makes us think we are any different? Our inability to relax has made us a society with an increased susceptibility to many stress related issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems and asthma, just to name a few.

 

We are foolish in thinking that our annual or bi-annual vacations can undo all of the damage we do to our health by not finding opportunities to simply relax on a regular basis.  Personally, when my husband and I go non-stop for any length of time, I get to the point where I am absolutely done and slide dangerously towards to the land of, “I. Do. Not. Care. About. Anything.”

 

Lately I’ve worked 45-50 hours a week with outings several nights, and much to accomplish on the weekends. This week was no exception.  Up at 3 a.m. daily for five mile runs, followed by ten hours on the job, errands to run after work, Friday afternoon departure out of town, baseball game, running a 5K race Saturday, church Sunday and a concert Sunday night. Are you tired now just reading this paragraph?

 

Somehow, though, right in the middle of all this busyness, I found my moment of, “Ahhhh.” My husband had business apart from me. At first I quasi-panicked, we were out of town and I had no desire to be cooped up in the hotel room alone then inspiration hit, the pool!!

 

Swimming is one of my passions so much so that I’ve convinced myself I’m part mermaid. If only my parents had named me Ariel, but alas! Walt Disney’s, “The Little Mermaid” wasn’t launched until after I was grown so how could they have known?

 

Shortly after my husband left I wondered down to the pool and was oh so pleasantly surprised to find it completely devoid of other human life. Knowing the shocking effect the cold water has on my 98.6 degrees body temperature, normally I dive right in, preferring to make the transition instantly. When the deep end equals five feet though, there’s no diving.

 

Once my body acclimated to the cold water it was as if I’d teleported to some peaceful, deserted island. I spent two absolutely blissful hours swimming, splashing, singing loudly and off-key while thinking of nothing.

 

My afternoon spent swimming means I still have another column to prep for the week, since I was out of town, the winter to summer shoe transition in my closet remains incomplete, Mother’s Day cards are yet to be addressed and yesterday’s paper remains unread. You know what though? I cannot think of another way I would have preferred to spend those hours. And, my relaxing swim has prepared me to better face whatever lies ahead.

 

During this busy week, I challenge you; make a point to carve out some “ahhhh” time. Your body, your family, and your physician will thank you.

 

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”

 

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