"It seems there is not enough time."
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Gisela writes: "I can be in a good contact with myself (and others) when there is no stress. But when there are too many people making demands, everybody wants something and it seems that there is not enough time, so I feel like a stone skipping over water, and then I lose the contact with myself too."
Dear Gisela, I’m sure you’re not the only one with this issue! It often seems that when we need Focusing the most, those are the times when it is hardest to give it to ourselves.
So what can you do to remind yourself to take time? It only seems that there is not enough time… the truth is, there is always time to spend some moments with yourself.
How about while sitting in the one room where everyone goes alone? You can use that alone time to breathe, to sink into your body, to put a gentle hand on your chest or your stomach, wherever you feel something stressing.
Or how about in your bed at night falling asleep? There’s time to sink your awareness into your body and say hello to each issue from the day that you’re still holding. Your sleep will come sooner and be deeper and more relaxing, I predict.
Another time I like to take for myself during the day is after reading my email, or after hanging up the phone from a phone call. Maybe that interaction included some request from another person. Now is my chance to sense how I feel about that. I have time to say hello to at least two parts of me: the one that wants to be nice and say yes, and the one that doesn’t want another thing on my calendar. Acknowledging those two sides always gives me a deep breath and a sense of inner space, no matter what I then decide.
Perhaps the first thing we notice, at such times, is how it feels not to be in contact. "Like a stone skipping over water." Ah, yes, that’s how it is. M-hm.
Acknowledging how it is, how something in you feels right now, is a giant step of relief. And it doesn’t take long. Really!