Day of Hope #138 - Thursday June 13, 2024
Goal: Slow down, recharge my energy, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life without feeling the need to accomplish anything.
Quote: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott
Sometimes You Just Need to Sleep In
Today was my Day of Hope, and I had absolutely no intention of setting an alarm. After everything that had been happening over the past few months, I needed some rest. Between publishing my book, attending book signings, working on Hopes Highways, and traveling to London and Paris, life had been full of wonderful adventures. But even wonderful adventures can wear you out!
So I decided I would sleep until my body was ready to wake up. No alarm. No schedule. No commitments. Just sleep. And apparently, my body thought 10:00 a.m. sounded like a perfectly reasonable time to start the day. I agreed!
A Little Cleaning Can Be Relaxing, Too
Once I finally got up, I took a shower and did a little laundry and cleaning. I know. Cleaning on my Day of Hope? What was I thinking? Ha!
But here's the thing. Sometimes getting a few things organized actually makes me feel better. I wasn't rushing around trying to accomplish a giant to-do list. I was simply doing a few things that would help me feel more relaxed. And once I was finished, I was ready to get outside.
Just Me and My Thoughts
I headed to the Eagle Greenbelt for a walk. I love spending time along the Greenbelt. There's something about walking near the water, enjoying the trees, and listening to nature that helps me clear my mind.
No phone calls. No meetings. No one needing anything from me. Just me and my thoughts. I walked at my own pace and enjoyed being outside. Sometimes I use my walks to think through ideas for Hopes Highways or reflect on what's happening in my life. Other times, I simply enjoy the quiet.
Today was one of those days when I didn't need to figure anything out. I just wanted to walk. And it felt wonderful.
Tea, Sunshine, and Absolutely Nothing
After my walk, I stopped at Starbucks and headed home. I made myself comfortable on my patio with a cup of tea and listened to the birds. It was so peaceful. I didn't need to be entertained. I didn't need to check something off a list. I didn't need to be productive. I was perfectly happy sitting there enjoying the moment.
Then I decided it was time for a little sunshine. The temperature was around 92 degrees, so I headed to the pool. I spent about an hour soaking up the sun, listening to my music, and relaxing.
No swimming laps. No exercise goals. Just enjoying the water, the sunshine, and the fact that I could spend my afternoon doing exactly what I wanted. Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what you need to be doing.
A Bath and Time With My Daughter
After the pool, I headed home and treated myself to a long bath. And when I say long, I mean an hour and a half! Oh, it was wonderful. I relaxed, enjoyed the quiet, and let the rest of the world carry on without me for a while.
That evening, I had dinner with my daughter. We also watched some of This Is Us, a television series we enjoyed watching together. It was such a nice way to end the day. Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Just good company and time together.
As I got ready for bed, I realized how much I had enjoyed this simple Day of Hope. I hadn't traveled anywhere exciting. I hadn't spent the day shopping or visiting new places. I hadn't accomplished anything extraordinary. But I had rested. I had spent time outside. I had enjoyed the sunshine. And I had given myself permission to slow down. That was more than enough.
Bonus: A Little Mountain Getaway
The next day, we headed to Stanley, Idaho. If you've never been to Stanley, it is absolutely beautiful. The mountains. The rivers. The lakes. The peaceful surroundings. There's something about being in the mountains that makes everything feel a little quieter.
We spent time enjoying the scenery and the beauty of Idaho. It was the perfect way to extend the peaceful feeling of my Day of Hope into the weekend. After all the excitement of traveling internationally the previous month, it was wonderful to enjoy the beauty right here in my home state. Sometimes you need a big adventure. And sometimes you just need a mountain view. I was grateful for both.
Bonus: Creating Is as Natural as Breathing
I also had another Reiki healing session this month. As always, I found the message fascinating. This session focused on something that has been a huge part of my life: Creating.
The message described creativity as something so natural to me that it was almost like breathing. Creating wasn't simply something I did. It was part of who I was. I loved that perspective.
When I thought about it, I realized how much of my life had involved creating something. Raising my family. Building a career. Creating traditions. Planning adventures. Writing my book. Starting Hopes Highways. And finding new ways to share hope with others.
I always seem to have another idea. Another project. Another possibility. And while that can sometimes make life pretty busy, I genuinely enjoy the process of creating. The message also encouraged me to keep moving forward while remembering that I didn't have to hold on to everything.
Bring together the pieces that matter. Let go of the things that no longer work. Keep creating. Keep growing. And allow myself the freedom to move forward. One particular thought stayed with me: Creating is part of who I am, but I am free to choose what I create and what I let go.
That felt especially meaningful as I continued developing Hopes Highways. I had so many ideas and dreams for the future. But I was also learning that I didn't have to do everything all at once. I could create something meaningful while still making room to enjoy my life.
And wasn't that the entire point of taking a Day of Hope?
So often, we feel like we need to accomplish something before we're allowed to rest. Finish the laundry. Answer the emails. Complete the project. Take care of everyone else.
Then maybe, if there's any time left, we can do something for ourselves. But there will always be another task. Another responsibility. Another reason to put ourselves last. You don't have to earn your rest by exhausting yourself first.
Sometimes the most important thing you can do is stop. Listen to the birds. Feel the sunshine. Enjoy the people you love. And remember that your life is happening right now. Not someday. Not when everything is finished. Right now.
My Lesson of Hope: You don't have to fill every moment of your Day of Hope with activities or accomplishments. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give yourself is permission to slow down. Sleep in, take a walk, sit in the sunshine, or enjoy a long bath without feeling guilty. Your value isn't measured by how much you accomplish, and your rest doesn't have to be earned. Make time to recharge, enjoy the simple pleasures around you, and remember that doing nothing can sometimes be exactly what your heart and body need.
