Lorraine's Parting Thought

Thank You For Inviting Me Into Your Wednesday!

Each week, I try to attend the Flow Yoga class at my community’s Sports Pavilion. Lorraine is our instructor; she is a lovely lady who guides us from sun salutations through final relaxation. As we sit facing her on our mats at the end of each practice, she sends us off with a Namaste and a heartfelt, “Thank you for inviting me into your Wednesday!”

This thought makes me smile every time I hear it. This week however, I took the time to reflect on this concept of inviting someone into my life. Each minute of each hour of each day is precious, and once spent, there’s no recouping lost time or requesting a refund or credit. I can’t go back to my 20’s to do something I missed out on when I was otherwise busy – that boat has sailed. What I can do however is make sure I spend each current and future minute doing the things I care most passionately about, with the people who matter most to me.

My dear friend Shel and I had wine and cheese on my deck together this evening. Beyond simply being an excellent way to spend a few precious hours, we talked about the concept of inviting people into our lives and living consciously. At a certain point in one’s life we concluded, it is not unusual to feel yourself awakening from a fog or a deep slumber. It starts by recognizing that you’ve been living your life on auto-pilot, and that your time is running out. Ah, the urgency created by a sense of mortality! There were many other things each of us could have spent our evening doing, and many other people we could have chosen to be with. At that time and place, there was nobody else with whom I wanted to share my three hours. I invited her into my evening, and she bolstered my soul. I hope I was able to give a little bit back in return for the invitation into her life!

Action Challenge: Decide who you want to spend your life with, then start calling, e-mailing, and/or otherwise reaching out to those people to make appointments for coffee, conversation, a phone call, or whatever works for you. Be very aware of the people you feel you *should* spend time with, versus those you really *want* to spend time with. Give one of your *wants* one or two of your *should’s* hours instead! Remember – it’s your life to live. Make the most out of every free hour you have.

Shel and Lorraine – thank YOU for inviting me into YOUR day!

Cheers and all my best to you!
~Brooxi

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”
- John Lennon

© Stephanie Brooks 2008