These last couple of weeks have felt like the Lucille Ball episode where Lucy and Ethyl get jobs in a candy shop. Their responsibilities include taking the chocolate, wrap it in its wrapper, put it in the box and then put it in the fridge. As the conveyer belt starts, the two of them are on top of it and finding it quite easy. The manager comes in and notices how well they are doing, so she decides to speed up the conveyor belt, which leads to the two of them being in a frenetic pace not able to keep up with wrapping the candies, so they start stuffing the candies into their pockets, mouths, anywhere just to stay on top of it. How many of you have felt this way? When you are the audience watching it, you find the humor in the situation – because you are removed from what they are doing with the candy. What if you had the power in stepping back and finding the funny in the moment? What if you could put that humor and joy into your day to break the monotony?
When we start our life we find ourselves in a wash, rinse, repeat cycle day-to-day, it can dim your light and you find yourself just moving with no purpose, then the conveyor belt starts speeding up – you get married, have kids, take on more responsibility at work, get involved with your kids school, volunteer at the library…. The first place to start is recognizing that you are in Lucy and Ethyl’s situation, life is speeding by you and you are just trying to keep up which leaves you in a continual cycle day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month and you want to throw something in the mix that changes the entire dynamic. The cog you throw into that wheel is choosing to do something you enjoy each day. This is the second step into self-empowerment. Life is meant to be lived at the pace you set, not the pace that others or the world sets for you.
So how do you start making that shift? Here is an example. My husband recently bought a turntable because he wanted to go back to listening to vinyl records. Some evenings when I walk through the door, music is playing and he is in his happy zone. Here is how to start finding your enjoyable activity:
1. Ask yourself: What lights me up? What excites me? What gives me pure joy in the moment?
2. Start with setting aside 5 minutes a day to jump into this fun activity.
Implementing something you enjoy each day will assist in balancing your energy. When your energy is in balance, you become more creative and through this creativity, you will find your passion, humor in life and excitement. It snaps you out of the routine and into possibility. Away from the candy conveyor that gets faster and faster.
Here is the challenge: This week start with something you enjoy for 5 minutes per day. Note how you feel.. Have fun with this experience!
Mary Beth Gudewicz CNTP, MNT, BCHN, FNLP, CFSP, CGP
Bella Nutrition Services LLC