Refined Perspectives – Coaching For Success in Life and Business

Taking a break at Christmas time is often one of the hardest things for anyone to do.  We all have deadlines, children’s events, work parties, church and community events, fundraisers, gift buying, decorating, baking and on the list goes.  This seems like the least likely time of year to stop and do nothing for a while.  But that is what we have done this year and I have to say it is wonderful to just be still during one of the busiest seasons of all.

But it isn’t just this season when stopping and resting is a valuable thing to do.  It doesn’t matter when you take a break as long as you take one.  We all get caught up in the activities of life and become stressed and unable to enjoy the moments with our family that we should treasure the most.  Life gets busier every year and if we are not careful, we can work through our children’s first steps, first day of school, first soccer goal, graduation and first day of college.  Life passes us all with equal speed and it is up to each of us to stick our foot out and slow down the spinning. 

There is nothing more urgent than the relationships we cultivate with family and friends.  If we get to busy to recognize that urgency, we are the losers.  So whatever it is that you have to do today, ask yourself if it is taking away from something you are missing with someone, a moment you will never get back.  Not every moment is one of those moments, but there are enough of those moments that we should be watching for. 

Even if you can’t just shut down for a couple of weeks, taking a break for a couple of hours can be refreshing and renewing for yourself and those you love.  So do a little more online shopping and spend less time in the lines at the mall, bake a few less cookies, write one less report, take one more vacation day; whatever it takes to give you just a small break in this hectic time of the year.  Savor the moments!