Day 2,845

Growth:

Taking a few minutes to pause and rest is okay and usually leads to positive things afterwards. Like anything it’s about discipline and moderation. Done the right way at the right times a break can be exactly what’s needed to kickstart a productive day. What really helped today was setting a 10 minute timer to pause and let my brain drift.

Appreciation:

I know I have some definite idiosyncrasies when it comes to my reading habits. One in particular is the habit of re-reading the same handful of books over and over again. This sometimes seems especially interesting when I share that this includes fiction as well as nonfiction. Yup, I know exactly what’s going to happen, I know the plot, and there aren’t many surprises when I read it. And there is the allure to re-reading those books.

One in particular is a wonderful “sweatshirt book.” Who doesn’t love the feeling of putting on an old comfy sweatshirt on a cool fall night while we snuggle in and get comfortable? Reading the book Spin by Robert Charles Wilson feels just like that. As soon as I pick it up there is a state of calm that comes over me and an instant hunger to consume the entire thing.

Each time I read it I immediately connect with each of the character in all of their glorious faults as they live a human life. The story is thick in metaphor with so many deeper meanings and symbolism behind the story and dialogue. When I read it I pick up on nuances missed in the past and connections previously unseen. While the story remains the same, the person reading it is never the same.

Gotta love “sweatshirt books!”

Presence:

During a video meeting today there was a short pause in the conversation, just long enough to hear a sound. I’d opened my office windows right away this morning and the sound coming in was rain pattering on the pavement in our parking lot. The quiet sound was so soothing and relaxing, a welcome sound to the day. Fortunately I was able to keep an ear to that sound while I was in the meeting and it helped me stay even more chill. So grateful for the incredible soundtrack to the meeting!

Thanks!!!