"Learning to trust life...is like learning to swim. First you flail, convinced you're going to drown. Then you notice that if you calm down, it's possible to tread water. Finally, as your movements slow, you realize something much more profound. When you let go completely and just relax, you find that you are magically held up by the water...It was ready to support you all the time."
Interesting comparison made in this quote, as I don't like swimming - in fact, I'm almost to the point of terrified of large bodies of water. I've been on a path lately of feeling like I'm drowning amongst a sea of financial debt (graduate school loans, mostly) and work-related paperwork. My job makes me feel as though I'm not going anywhere - that all of the work I do and all of the effort I put into my job aren't being recognized. On my way to work this morning I thought about this and have to change how I look at this situation. My graduate loans will be exempt in 10 years, as long as I make the minimum payments (with a savings of almost 50%) and I need to have satisfaction in knowing I put 110% into my job, whether it is recognized or not. I'm not asking for a teacher-of-the-year recognition - just a small pat on the back with a "Good job!" or an email from a needy parent saying "Thanks for all you've done for my kid."
Relaxing hasn't ever really been a word I use on a daily basis. When I think about relaxing, I tend to overthink about all of the things I need to be finishing, starting, doing, etc. and don't end up enjoying myself. Last weekend in NC, I really tried to take advantage of being away from everything - I didn't take any work with me; I didn't check my phone often; I only signed into fb once; and I just allowed myself to eat great food, converse with great girlfriends, take a morning walk, and sit on a great front porch amongst some beautiful flowers. (Some wine and martini's also helped!)
My goal for the first 3 weeks of summer vacation is to relax more, so if that involves my sitting outside by the pool, taking dogface to the dog park, or sitting/sipping a coffee til it gets cold, that's what I'll do.
