Sap Suckers

Tonight I was tired! I had absolutely no energy to exercise. Just moving from the bed to my couch would have been good enough. 

Yet I really truly wanted to exercise as I know it’s the best medication to treat my stressful day.

Given the weather, I am stuck inside and I’m a tad bored with my exercise routine- this is part of the problem and also a ready excuse when I need it. ;) So I decided to shake things up, go wild and crazy and download an audio book. I’m pretty sure that God was testing me and getting a good chuckle at my attempt to download my first audio book from the library. It took me 30 minutes and by the time I was done downloading the freaking audio book which ironically was 100 Ways To Simplify Your Life by Joyce Meyers- I was even more exhausted.

First way to simplify your life- don’t download an audio book when you’re trying to get a workout in, eat chocolate instead. Just kidding. Kind of.

Anyway, I geared up, hopped plopped myself onto the elliptical and listened to what Joyce had to say. Tonight, much of the message was around knowing yourself, setting boundaries and saying NO. My favorite part of her message was about pruning away the things and people in your life that take you away from what really matters. She talked about the branches that are on the lower part of the tree, some of them are unnecessary, they are the sap suckers. Those branches need to be pruned off in order for the tree to be healthy and bear fruit. Joyce asked what we have in our lives that needs to be pruned.

While pruning might sound a bit harsh, it’s necessary for our survival. I sure wish that it didn’t take me until my forties to figure out this vital survival skill AND I’m still working on it.

I have to say that since the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving, I have really been struggling with my eating, exercise and motivation and I know that I’m not alone. Lately I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, like there’s just not enough time in the day to get everything done. The more I feel overwhelmed, the more I procrastinate. The more I procrastinate, the worse I feel. The worse I feel, the more I eat. Can anyone else relate?

Joyce’s message came at just the right time for me to see that I’ve got some pruning to do. What or who is draining you? Taking away your energy and focus?  Competing for your attention over what’s really important? Draining instead of replenishing you?

A few years ago I had a friendship like this. It took me many years of hurt to realize it was toxic and that we’d both be better off going our separate ways.

I’ve also come to really examine my priorities. I always put people first over things, even if that means that I don’t get those things done. Since I’ve started taking good care of my health, I’ve had to let a few things go. My house is not nearly as clean as it used to be. Now I use those cleaning hours to exercise or prepare healthy meals. Or to do something that replenishes my soul, artwork, writing, meditation, hanging out with a friend. 

What or who is sap sucking your life? I can see a few obvious time-related sap suckers in mine. Television. I could easily spend a few hours a night watching my favorite sit-com line up. Facebook. An easy escape when I’m feeling frazzled. Books. When I’m reading a good book that I just can't put down, all else seems to fall to the wayside.  None of these are bad, however they do drain hours of my time. When I look at how I spend my time to decompress, I see that I could easily fit in some activity, home organization, phone calls, letter writing or whatever else I haven't been getting to- if I plan them out and prioritize them.

Back in the 90’s when FranklinCovey planners were all the rage, they recommended that you schedule time for planning and solitude, right in the beginning of your day. I’ve really gotten away from that and I can feel it. It’s not just time to plan IN my wellness, but to plan OUT my wellness. Planning in what’s good for me and pruning out what’s not.

Make the choice. Commit to the choice. Ask for help. Continue with courage. 

Hugs and Friendship,

Tara