mar's Desk

marcoujor: Fall Break - Pausing

10/17/2018

I love my current work as a nursing instructor - working in behavioral health and community clinical settings with my students.

I put the same "heart and soul" into my work that I expect my students to. Our days together are draining - both physically and emotionally.

I consider this a "good tired" - reflective of a job well done. I also consider my work to be "sacred". The future of nursing, at least partially, is in my hands as I role model the kind of nurse that I want to care for me and those I love.

We are on Fall Break around our campus. A few days breathing in the cooler air, especially when the sun is shining brightly, has reminded me to slow down. Mom would call this a time where "I can hear myself think".

I sat down to write this week and found my mind actively resisting the idea of reining in those thoughts.

I've told my students there is no point in studying when distracted, for any reason. Similarly, I've given myself permission to pause this week.

I'd like to share the following video from Tara Brach. I'm grateful to a friend for telling me about Tara several months ago. I have signed up for mailings from her website and this week's video was a perfect reflection for Fall Break and my natural inclination to pause.

You may need to return when you have about an hour for yourself. If the very idea of an hour of free time is daunting to you, it may need to be scheduled.

You are worth the investment after all.

If you find it difficult to listen to someone telling you about the benefits of pausing, you may be more influenced by music.

This week in my "free time" I've been pulling out some of my favorite CDs, way too many to share at this time. I was shocked that this favorite collaboration by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach is 20-years old. This collection of music is tasty, timeless and tranquil in sound.

So take that same hour and put your feet up while you listen: