And so there is a time for everything. As we all know…a time for work, a time for play and a time for rest. A time to dream and a time to act. A time to stop and a time to go. The list goes on and on. With the days of our lives going by so quickly, it can be easy to forget what is actually happening within our lives. Let me assure you though, it is all happening. Take a moment and think about it. What is the “everything” that is happening in your life?
This past week I have experienced pretty much all that I could have it seems. I have had good things happen. I have also had some truly challenging things happen. I have worked. I have played. I have laughed. I have cried. I have spent time with amazing friends in Prince Edward Island helping plan for the launch of this. I have rested. I have been there for my kids…for the good, the bad and the completely difficult. I have held amazing Skype calls with colleagues to strategize, to learn and to be accountable. I have made time to visit my Mom and to chat with my Dad. I, like many others – such as Diane Brogan, have contemplated the issues of poverty and worried about the level of homelessness. I have explored a million options related to a possible, sudden housing relocation for my own family. I have reached out to colleagues for advice and I have continued actioning the plans for my latest project. I have delivered wonderful news that made someone’s week the best it could possibly be. I have talked about alignment of values with action. I have reconfirmed the importance of authenticity – not only for myself but for those that I choose to surround myself with. I have supported colleagues, as they have made hard decisions in the face of incredible change. I even found the time to write a blog post on generosity in social media. Clearly, it has been a busy week. A good week and an exhausting week – all at the same time.
Here is the most important part though, through all of this I have still managed to fit some time in for dreaming or “blue skying” as I like to call it. Honestly, it is is one of the things that I do the very best in my life; especially when I am in PEI. I regularly create opportunities for my mind to wander, to explore and to consider what is next. I work things through and I solve impossible problems by being open to creativity. I let my mind loose to look at everything, leaving nothing in the dark or untouchable. I know this is one of the reasons that I am so attracted the daily blue skies that @lizstrauss shares with the world. They remind me, on a daily basis, that the possibilities within the universe are virtually endless. I was pleased when I discovered that my #SOBCon colleague @MartiKonstant also recently wrote how she makes room for this kind of expansive thinking in her post entitled Making Room for White Space (her own version of blue skying):
It is more likely that an idea came to you when there was more space in your brain to think creatively. On your walk or bicycle ride home from work. Or on your morning run or doing your yoga workout.
Another way of coming up with fresh ideas is to create your own white space. Change your surroundings for time alone to think or time to collaborate with a team is a good start. The new environment can be down the hall or across the street at a local coffee shop.
So…you see as in everything in life, there is a balance. There truly is a time for everything. Make sure that you are both acting and dreaming. Be true to your heart, your mind and your soul. Don’t just go through the day to day motions. Celebrate the good and the challenging. Most importantly, though, keep your mind open to the endless possibilities that are available to you. Dreaming AND acting will enable you to truly get to the very best possible places in YOUR life.
What is the “everything” that is happening in your life? Are you making room for dreaming? Do you act on your dreams?
We all need to dream. Taking time to think and dream is very important to me. Every morning when I look at the @lizstrauss:twitter Daily Blue Skies I think of the many people, like you, who I know are also checking the blue skies. In our very busy world, it is life giving to nourish our soul. Sometimes by slowing down we are able to move faster and surer to accomplish more.
Thanks for sharing your time.
I love this line in your comment:
Sometimes by slowing down we are able to move faster and surer to accomplish more.
It is just so true. Of late, I have been doing a lot of slowing down to consider many things in my life. The fact is that this slowing down is also enabling me to gain traction and clarity about exactly where I am going and what I am doing. For the first time in a long time, I am really experiencing the importance of listening to my heart and aligning it with the actions I take. It is making all the difference in the world – on so many levels.
How wonderful and timely this post is. Just when I need to dream and act, this post comes across my screen. Thank you.
So happy that it hit home for you!