This weekend I bounced back and forth between the ‘being’ and the ‘doing’. From savouring my morning coffee to furiously yanking out weeds in the garden. From soaking in the sun and disappearing into the pages of my book to sprinting to markets and grocery stores to wrap up weekend errands.
Although I felt satisfied that I was both relaxing and getting things done, it still felt like something was off. I felt compartmentalized and like I was in a game of tug of war.
Do you ever feel like that? Like you are zipping back and forth from zen to zoom? From being completely connected to your breath to nosediving into your action packed to-do list?
Well what if it didn’t have to be like that? What if you could be in both places at the same time? And no, this doesn’t involve time travel!
Here’s what that would look like. Imagine putting on your most zen-inducing music as you get your chef on. As you chop the veggies, you notice you are humming along, with a slight smile on your face. Your thoughts are focused on the rainbow bright colours of the food, the variety of textures of the ingredients and the tantalizing aromas as the flavours start to come together. Then, as you plate the food, you pay special attention to the presentation, playing up the contrast between the food and the colour of your dish. You would make Chef Ramsay proud. Bite after bite, you breathe in gratitude for everyone who made it possible for you to have this meal.
This is what’s possible for you when you sink into the now and put both the ‘being’ and the ‘doing’ on the same plate. This is the place of integration. This is the place of fulfillment. It’s where life is no longer linear filled with ‘either’ ‘or’, but instead encompasses the whole enchilada!
How does it feel?
Sound too good to be true? Then this challenge is for you!
This week’s challenge: Pick an activity – cooking, writing emails, cleaning…something where you are in action. Before you start, set the scene. Light candles, put some music on, set an intention to be in the integrated place where you are soaking in the present moment as you get things done.
What works for you? What doesn’t?
As always, your insights are someone else’s a-ha, so if you feel called to, leave a thought, reflection or celebration below!