Weekends that is!  Do you ever feel like we live our lives in reverse?  Shouldn’t we have weekends that are as long as the work week and work weeks as long as the weekend?  Or at the very least a more balanced life?  I would be content with a three day weekend and a four day work week.

 I’ve spent time abroad in several countries and in my opinion, we do it all wrong.  We are so obsessed with work that we forget all about life.  I’ll be the first to admit that I struggle with slowing down, I have a hard time in slower paced cultures but once I adjust there is nothing sweeter than having the time to connect.  

That is what we did this weekend, we slowed it down, pure bliss!  We didn’t get as much accomplished as we intended but I was okay with that.  The time spent at home was much needed and easing to the soul.  We slept in every day, worked hard on Saturday, and then decided to spend Sunday relaxing because we’d run ourselves ragged yet again.  My husband and I tend to go and go and go until there’s no more.  In fact, we’re one of those sick couples that actually enjoy being busy every minute of every day.  I couldn’t believe how much we slept this weekend!  I think our bodies & minds were revolting!

 What’s funny is now that I’m feeling a little more me, I’m not as food focused as I usually am.  I think the rest triggered some hormone in my brain that signaled satisfied customer - no need for fuel replacement. 

I can’t help but wonder if this is part of the American epidemic?  Are we overweight & obese because of our pushing to the brink ’can do’ attitude?  Are we failing to click the satiated hormone in our brains because we’re so focused on the next goal, the next task, the next project?  We dig in, suck it up, and push through so much of our own needs for the sake of work.

I used to commute to work via train and there was this homeless man that would yell “Like rats in a cage, just like rats in a cage!” every time the train doors slid open.  He was there every day yelling it at the same stop.  Now I know this man was a little challenged but his words got to me.  I’ve changed my life style thanks to him.  I’ve moved out of that city and into a suburb now and work fairly close to home. 

However, despite my changes I find myself working just as hard and getting home at the same time as I used to, which means I spend more time in the office and less time commuting.  I guess this is my crisis - trying to remedy this need to shove food in my face as a coping device!  I want to live life to the fullest, I want a happy family, and I want a successful career too but I don’t want to spend all my time trapped like a “rat in cage.”  Where to find the common ground?

I think I’ve hit the nail on the head about why I eat.  Now I only need to make steps to improve it….

I’ve started writing a list of goals to accomplish each day and today I’ve decided to incorporate 10 minutes of restful meditation per day.  I can give 10 minutes of my time for me.  Tonight it starts!  When I get home tonight I’m taking 10 minutes to shut myself down and re-set my internal clock.  I’m hitting my satiation button for me, my health, and for contentment.