My WOTY is ‘BE’ in an effort to slow down and actually ‘be in the moment’, however as we complete our fifth month of the year I’m discovering the obvious – between BE-ing and DO-ing can be experienced simulateneously. Of course! You can BE present whilst you are DO-ing and the practice of mindfulness is about being mindful of whatever you are doing at any given moment. I also believe that you can BE whilst looking and planning future goals and dreams.
Last month I wrote about Coping with the roller coaster ride of life I’m pleased to say that although May started much the same as April finished, by the end of May life is looking up despite a blip in my family with my son-in-law having COVID a week before my grandson Elliot’s 4th birthday and his brother Ethan’s Confirmation. Again all part of life’s twists and turns.
Although we will be experiencing some major changes over the next couple of months (which I will share when the time is right), I’m excited rather than anxious – and that is a good place to be.
BE-ing and DO-ing in May
I wrote in my What’s On Your Bookshelf? post this month about two little books that I’ve been reading. Both by Dr Patrizia Collard one is The Little Book of Meditation and the other is The Little Book of Mindfulness. I’ve been reading the Mindfulness one and will share some great exercises Dr Collard shares in coming posts.
Chapter 3 starts with the following quote and it also reminded me of a phrase I heard recently- ‘analysis paralysis’ where we feel so overwhelmed with a project or goal that we find all different excuses to avoid starting. This quote reminded me that being mindful of each step of the challenge as we progress blends together BE-ing and DO-ing.
When we procrastinate and distract ourselves with ‘busyness’, we avoid engaging with the real thing – our lives. Mindfulness helps us become really present, so we respond wisely to a challenge and experience each moment as it unfolds.
Dr Patrizia Collard – The Little Book of Mindfulness
Traditions – Being in the Moment
My daughter, Rachel and I continued our tradition of running in the Mother’s Day Classic in memory of my Mum who died from breast cancer in 1986. Rachel and I have participated in this event for at least 10 years and it is a lovely way to start our Mother’s Day together.
Rediscovering a lost love – Being in the Moment
I love to workout as you know to maintain my health and fitness, but did you know I was a ballet/dance teacher in another life?
I started a ballet school before I left high school and taught ballet, tap, jazz and highland dancing for 15 years until children and a move to another State changed my path.
I was wanting to mix up my workout so I found a Barre class online and indulged in my first love – ballet. Of course, I’m certainly not as flexible as I was in younger years but I so enjoyed revisiting a love after many years. I will certainly be incorporating Barre classes in my workout programs.
As I was doing the class I was definitely in the moment, enjoying the movements and feeling my muscles work in different ways to my normal strength sessions. I also enjoyed indulging in the memories of my time as a ballet teacher, especially the memories of the annual recital each December.
Do you have a lost love, a passion, a hobby that you need to revisit?
BE-ing more confident
Self confidence is a WIP for most of us I believe. This month I actually took some fun photos of myself and posted them to Social Media. For me, I accept who I am, how I look and I am working on not worrying what others think (that is a tough one!). Why not post a funny photo of yourself and tag me on Instagrsam @sue
Welcome to the 2022 WOTY Link Party
2022 WORD OF THE YEAR LINK PARTY GUIDELINES
The 2022 WOTY Link Party is a way for us to stay accountable to our WOTY (or Goals or Intentions if you haven’t settled on a particular Word for the Year) and write about how we are tracking each month on the last Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Last Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere). We would still encourage everyone to leave a comment or if you have written a post feel free to link up with us.
What: 2022 Word of the Year Link Party (#2022wotylinkpary).
When: Last Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Last Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere). The link will be open for 3 days so you’ve got plenty of time to join.
Why: To encourage us all to keep the focus on our chosen WOTY (OR GOAL OR INTENTION)
Where: Link Party, Blog, Blog Comments, Instagram or other Social Media.
Who: This linkup is open to everyone.
How: You can share in the comments, with a blog post, or on other social media of your choice. Include the hashtag #2022wotylinkparty so that we can find you and include your link in our posts.
Be a proud contributor to #2022wotylinkparty
To show our appreciation to all participants, contributors are welcome to display this badge on their blog, website or social media.
Sharing their WOTY progress this month
Take a moment to link through to see what my co-hosts and others have written……
Deb from Deb’s World
Jo from And Anyways
Donna from Retirement Reflections – Donna is currently hiking around Prince Edward Island and won’t be able to make this link up. However, pop over and read her postcards from PEI.
Now over to you – how are you living your WOTY, Goal or Intention?
Deb, Donna, Jo and I hope that you will join us each month and share what you’ve been doing to focus on your 2022 WOTY. If you have any questions just ask us. You can also link to any, or all of our posts, with a pingback, that way we get to see your posts quicker!
14 Comments
What a lovely refreshing post Sue and you’re so right be-ing and do-ing can coexist and you have given great examples of this. I hope the birthday and confirmation can go ahead but as you say, it’s all part of the roller-coaster of life as you say. My friend has a saying ‘it’s all part of the rich tapestry of life’ which I often quote when ‘things’ happen. I’m excited for your news and wish you well for the month ahead. I’m excited that I get to actually see you in person next month when we’re up visiting our daughter 🙂
When I read your title of today’s post, I just had to visit. We have a group of young adults who come to our house every Tuesday night for dinner, fellowship, and a study (Christian in nature). We are doing a book about ordering our private world (the inside part that folks don’t see). One of the young women said this on Tuesday night, “My mom always told me that first and foremost I was a human BE-ing not a human DO-ing.” This young woman does PLENTY – she is a high school Spanish teacher who goes above and beyond BUT – I think her mother said some wise words!
Great post and I adore your funny face photos. I was only thinking earlier about hobbies that need revisiting and suspect that’s part of my lost mojo thing – writing used to be a hobby now it’s something else and while I love it I’ve forgotten what it was like to have a creative hobby to play at. Well worth thinking about.
This was a reflective but cool read. Those photos were fun Sue. I am so glad you have found a Barre class on line and your body will be remembering how good it felt to move that way. I am listening to, reading AND watching Brene Brown on her book Atlas of the Heart and your words about anxious/excitement made me think about her words. Really interesting how our bodies and minds feel these emotions very similarly. Thank you for the link up…and I am delighted to BE a participant. Denyse
Lovely to read about your Barre class, I bet you were an amazing ballet teacher. I hope things go more smoothly next month. Toni x
Those selfies of yours at the end still make me smile Sue. It’s great that you’ve got your balance back and I’m looking forward to you sharing your exciting family news. x
I’m glad to hear May has been better for you, and you are 100% correct that doing and being can happen at the same time with no conflict! I can totally relate to what you say about analysis paralysis – I’ve tried so many different ideas for a new career and I’m so worried that I’ll find that yet another will seem impossible and that has stopped me from getting started with what I’m doing now… I just recently made a real plan and now I’m on my way.
Your funny photos were very refreshing! The only such photo I have of myself is probably the one Daniel took of us while walking from the whiskey warehouse in Dingle being a bit tipsy after a good tasting! I’m not big on taking selfies but maybe it will happen more in the future.
Hi Sue, I’m glad to hear life is looking up by the end of May and you’re excited about the upcoming changes. I hope your son-in-law has recovered from covid and your daughter and grandsons are well. It’s always good to shake up our fitness routine with something new, whether it’s completely new or something we used to love doing like your ballet. Thank you for hosting #2022wotylinkparty. Have a great weekend and a wonderful June!
Hi Sue – I love your photos in this post. Remembering your mum with your Mother’s Day tradition with your daughter is so special. I hope the rest of your family soon recover from Covid. Sometimes it does feel like we lurch from one drama to another but really it’s all about our mindset and BE-ing and DO-ing as you have said.
I love your funny photos, Sue. We sometimes take ourselves too seriously or worry about looking “good.” It’s refreshing to relax and have some fun.
I haven’t been blogging since I broke m,y arm Sue so I have just popped in to check how May was for you. I love your funny selfies. They made me smile. The barre class you did sounds wonderful. I was definitely not a ballet dancer but in my gym days I loved using the barre for stretching.
That phrase is interesting. Good food for thought. I have found myself procrastinating things..coming up with reasons I don’t get them done.
There is something so therapeutic about making funny faces. My 1.5 year old does it so easily for the camera, yet I worry about being so silly :-p.
Hey! Thanks for this amazing blog! So inspiring article!