Life is all about rhythms and cycles. The word “rhythm” (rooted in the Latin word rhythmus and the Greek word rhythmos) is strongly related to the word rhein which means “to flow.”
If you’re a “do-er” like I am, you probably tend to have a lengthy “To Do” list and love checking things off that list. It brings that sense of accomplishment which in turn boosts one’s self-esteem. I have to confess that right now I have no fewer than 35 items on my ongoing personal/business To Do list (I had 38, but when I went to count, realized I had actually completed three of them!).
Ahhh…
This past Thanksgiving weekend, I set aside my To Do list and allowed myself to play with my scrapbooking, rubber stamping and card-making supplies. I love making handmade greeting cards. I have a ton of scrapbooking supplies that I have loving collected over the years; all with the intention of creating beautiful cards and scrapbook pages.
The problem is, I feel guilty if I “take time off” from my business to just play at creating these little works of art. It seems so indulgent, to allow my right-brain the chance to come out and be part of my world. I get so caught up in the drive to create the next product, promote the next offering, craft the next group coaching call. Do you ever feel this way?
The Truth
The truth is, we need to express both our left- and right-brain activities in order to have flow. When we give too much attention to one, the other gets “stopped up” and we wonder what’s wrong.
Over the past several months I’ve been allowing myself time for creativity, dance and reading for pleasure (not just business books!). I am amazed at the difference it has made in my outlook, my work and my relationships. The more I’ve allowed flow, life’s natural rhythms, the more I’ve found that I’m happier, work comes easier and I enjoy husband, family and friends much more (and more easily!)
Your Rhythm
This holiday season, I invite you to take a look at your professional and personal life. Where are you blocking flow? Where are you allowing it? What strategies or activities do you engage in to help things flow more easily in your life?
Since creativity is one of my top 3 values this is such a great article Yvonne to remind me to take time to let my creativity FLOW!!! I’m a big beader and card maker and I get into such flow when I do those things…….thanks for this great reminder!!
Sheila, I’m a beader too (we do it all don’t we?!). Glad I could be a reminder for you to take time and create…
SO true and SO important, Yvonne! I really keep tabs on making sure I get ample creative time, and if it isn’t flowing naturally into my experience, I schedule it in and consider it at least as important an appointment as anything else on my calendar. Mahalo for the powerful reminder — and your cards are GORGEOUS! ♥ Aloha, Katherine.
Katherine, I love that you schedule creativity time! My left-brain loves that. *:-)
OMG! Now I read that both Sheila and Yvonne are card makers like me. We’re going to have to get an art time together!!! So true, Yvonne – creativity settles me down and gives me lots of new ideas, always, for my business.
Sue, I see a card swap in our future! I’ve never done one, but it will be a good “excuse” for me to schedule some creative time! Thanks for sharing that your creativity always gives you new ideas for your business!
Yvonne, it’s so wonderful to feel your beautiful Hula energy! Thanks for reminding me to create, and just BE instead of focusing so heavily on Doing. That really is the key to balance, isn’t it?
xo!
Yvonne,
Thanks for the timely reminder to “go with the flow”.
Much needed and appreciated.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Yvonne,
Beautiful article of living a balanced life. Scheduling time for play is vital for my creative to flow…helping my business along the way.
Kiyla Fenell
Thank you Yvonne for the reminder to take a breather every now and then!
Dr. Robert Fenell
Yvonne,
Wonderful post. It took me so many years to understand. I was being stiffled in corporate life. It is so rewarding being able to work with
small business owners and entrepreneurs who are able to grow and implement immediately and you see the rewards of your work so quickly.
Mitch
I love my friends who are card makers like you, Yvonne! I love getting hand-made snail mail.
I am always focusing on the to-do list, and you are so right — we need to put it away and have a respite every now and again to feed our soul, no matter what. 