Planning Ahead

        At holiday times we tend to be much more conscious of time as we have a date to meet. Things must be done in order to be ready for a day of celebration, a time of religious awareness. As we try to cram more activities in our regular day we find the stress quotient goes up and the time to think goes down. There is much to think on and sometimes the thoughts get so heavy that it seems that time stands still. On the other hand, we may find that we are so caught up in our thoughts that time seems to fly by and all of a sudden we find we're "out of time". Things to do, people to see, and on and on. A troubled heart finds it hard to plan ahead. It is as if the burden of the extra thoughts cannot be carried so we lock into a day by day functioning state.

        Planning ahead takes some real thought and organization and when we are low on energy and low in expectations or even avoiding looking ahead, the burden becomes very, very heavy. It is as if life is moving on and we're trying to catch up. We move in ever hurried and harried states. How can we plan ahead when we canot find time to sit down and think of possibilities and responsibilities that need to be taken care of? It may even make us feel somewhat guilty to take the time to do nothing for a few minutes. It is important, however, to settle the mind, to organize thoughts, to consider what has to be done and when it is to be done.

        This is a difficult time, particularly this holiday season, with many losses. Be of good cheer doesn't fit and peace seems far beyond our reach. Perhaps we are a little afraid to stop the action, to give our mind some room to think. Perhaps it is a daunting task to even think of a plan, so how do we handle this? Simply stop, stop for a few minutes and just be, just be who you are. Don't be afraid of the moment of silence within. Plan only as far ahead as you are comfortable doing. Don't take too big a piece of the future at one time. Slow down a little, take one of those deep breaths you're always hearing about. Calming yourself calms those around you and ripples out like that of a rock skipping across water. If your mind and your spirit are too "jumbled" to plan, then let it rest, and perhaps the next day will be better. Be kind to yourself as has been suggested before, but also be patient.