Treat #101
: Finding "Spacious"
I remember years ago in New York I would not schedule anything on a Saturday on purpose so I could have an unplanned day and see what showed up. I am seeing more and more as I work with people how important it is to have space in the schedule. Most people’s calendars are full of back-to-back meetings with no time to look and listen for what is next, let alone pee. We are moving at a rapid pace to keep up.
This weekend when my Saturday opened up I decided to allow it to stay that way and keep my schedule open…no expectations, no have-to’s, no shoulds, just following what showed up. I ended up having a delightful day that took me to new places and new people.
I got on my bike and road over to another part of town to see about a basket for my bike. Instead I ended up getting a fun bike bell. Then I just meandered about, stopping at a florist to thank them for the suggestion of new flowers for my terrace a couple weeks ago. I would not have driven over or called to do that, but I just dropped in on my bike. I noticed an organic clothing store that I forgot was there and had fun trying out their organic mattress. My enthusiasm engaged a client on her way out the door and I think she might have bought a bed. On the way back home, I rode by a friend’s house and she was home. I visited with her and her boys. I had many sweet interactions along the way, one with a kid who had just received a new bike and wanted to show me how fast he could ride. All these things I would have missed had I been on a schedule or in my car.
I enjoyed so much my day without a schedule, I decided to do it again on Sunday. The day was completely different… quieter with a short visit to the local farmer’s market just before it closed and visiting a friend. Then I spontaneously made an MP3 recording on my iPhone. It’s something I am considering sending out to clients.
My experience is that when I give myself space, I make room for new adventures, replenish my enthusiasm and find my creativity alive and active.
You may not have two days for spacious, but even five or ten minutes in your day that is otherwise full of commitments can give you an experience of spacious that can revive you and inspire you and provide you with the enthusiasm to keep going.
If you find yourself thinking I don’t have ten minutes, think about the interruptions you allow in a day that start out being one minute and then end up being 5-10 minutes. There is always room for us to find spacious if we choose it.
And when I am truly present with my undivided attention enjoying each moment there is only spacious.
Martha Invitations
1. Schedule time in your schedule for nothing.
2. The next time someone interrupts you, ask them if they can put their request in writing and then take the equivalent time you would have spent with them and give to yourself.
3. Every couple of hours just stand-up and stretch and let your mind go blank.
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