If someone were to ask how your day was, how would you respond? For far too many of us, the answer would be busy. Out fast-paced world glorifies busy. At least for me, it’s not enough to raise my child, attend to my marriage, work full-time, meditate, exercise daily, attend events, volunteer, socialize, eat healthy, and remember to feed the pets. I also feel driven to have an online presence, publish a book, take on more clients, travel the world, cook healthy meals at home, keep my home beautiful, pursue my passions, learn the guitar, read the latest bestseller, keep up with Game of Thrones, and leave time to get my hair cut, do some laundry, and occasionally shave my legs. I’m exhausted just writing about it. And I bet you aren’t that different.
But busyness is not the same as worthiness. In writing Core4 Wellness, I researched the Mediterranean Diet, an eating pattern that reflects the traditional eating habits of the coastal fishing villages of Greece, Southern Italy, and Crete. For some reason, people who eat this diet live an extraordinarily long time. And while I totally agree with the common sense food rules (fish, vegetables, very little processed crap, red wine), what I was most struck by was the fact that these people don’t lead busy lives. In fact, they celebrate rest and relaxation! Most don’t wear watches, most nap daily, they stay up late to socialize, sleep in late, tend to their vegetable gardens, walk to the market each day, drink wine, dance, and enjoy a slower-paced life. I spent a few weeks in the Greek Isles and can attest to all of this. Meals lasted hours (even lunch) and shops were closed all afternoon while people went home to eat and visit with their families. It seems that these people have decided to glorify living life as opposed to hurrying through it. And they’ve been granted more time on Earth to do so!
How do you contribute to the “glorification” of busy? How could you make small changes in how you live your life in order to start slowing down? Could you take a nap on the weekend? Could you stay up late on a weekday drinking wine and chatting with a friend? Can you cancel an unnecessary meeting or appointment and use that time to sit on a bench in a park with a good book? Could you have more sex, eat more chocolate, hug it out more often? I’m making a promise here today that I’m going to make a very conscious effort to stop the glorification of busy (so, uh, sorry in advance to all you guys on my therapy waiting list).
Peanut Butter Avocado Toast
- 1 slice ezekial (or other sprouted) bread
- 1 T. nut butter of choice
- ½ avocado, sliced
- pinch of sea salt
Toast the bread and spread with nut butter until it’s melted. Layer slices of avocado and sprinkle with sea salt. So simple and sooooo delicious. This is also a perfect mid-afternoon snack when you feel your energy ebbing away and the vending machine calling your name.
