Brake for Spontaneity
Cheryl Richardson

  
Do you ever feel that life is just one long routine day after another?  You wake up, take a shower, brush your teeth, get dressed, head off to work, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.  Well, if one more day of the "same ol' stuff" makes you feel cranky, it might be time for a spontaneity break.

Now I know that the idea of scheduling a spontaneity break sounds like a contradiction in terms, but when you consider how our society lives and thrives by the clock, it makes sense.  Too often we fall into the trap of believing that life will become easier and more meaningful when we get really good at living and acting efficiently.  But schedules, clocks, and well-planned time can squash our creative spirit--the part of us that thrives on spontaneous, open-ended time.

I love open-ended time.  In other words, I love to have an afternoon or day to myself to do whatever I want, without needing to be anywhere or do anything at any given time.  As a matter of fact, I can become pretty tough to live with when my calendar gets too full of scheduled appointments (just ask my husband).

When I have open-ended time, I often stop, close  my eyes, and check in with myself to determine what feels right in the moment.  Sometimes when I check in, I get a goofy answer like, "Clean out the refrigerator" (pretty weird, I know).  At other times I may want to take a nap, go for a jog, visit a bookstore, or just sit and relax.

As creative beings, we all need periods of time to live spontaneously without commitments or distractions.  By creating the space to live in the moment, we strengthen the connection to our inner wisdom and give ourselves a much-needed rest from the routine of day-to-day living.  So, if the idea of brushing your teeth or getting dressed feel like an overwhelming task, it might be time for a spontaneity break!

Take Action Challenge:

Schedule a spontaneity break this week.  Take an afternoon or evening and give yourself the gift of time free from appointments or obligations.  Do whatever comes to mind in the moment.  During this time stop, check in with your Wise Self, and ask, "What do I really want to do right now?"  However goofy or simple the answer might be, trust your gut and act!

more on time

  


 
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We cannot separate our lives from time.  Why is it that we are so extravagant,
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duration of your life.  If you waste your time, you must waste your life.
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