Unhook From The Perpetual Progress Grid

I have been a member of a group called the Women in BusinessConnection (WIBC for short) in Cambridge, MA for about fouryears. We get together for lunch meetings once a month. Lastweek at our December event several of the women commented to mehow much they liked my newsletter. It is always nice to hearcomplimentary feedback but one woman went even farther - shesaid it was like getting a "Zen moment" in her email. (ThanksCibeline!)

Her comment got me thinking. That is exactly what I want toprovide - Zen moments for my readers. I am in no way a Zenexpert but I do hope that reading my monthly messages mightoffer you a moment to temporarily unhook from what I call thePerpetual Progress Grid of life. My wish is to share with you amoment of reflection, appreciation and calm.

So today, I will describe for you how I "unhook from the grid"for brief moments of time and at random intervals. I believe itis this short but consistent "unhooking" that keeps merefreshed, creative and ultimately at peace. By sharing mytechniques with you, I invite you to borrow, create or identifyyour own.

I "unhook" from the pressures, desires, thrills, and obligationsof the Perpetual Progress Grid when:

-- I hear my dog pitter-patter up the stairs to join me in myoffice and I stop what I am doing for a few minutes, pat herbelly and thank her for coming to visit me.

--I take a work break, drive into town and get coffee at myfavorite independent coffee shop with my husband.

--I turn off my phone, ignore email and descend into creativebliss when writing.

-- I take a moment to stare out a window and notice the way therain, snow or sunshine is reflecting off the glass at just thatmoment.

--I attend a yoga class and gratefully stretch both my mind andlimbs to their full expression.

--I take a deep breath and feel it extend my abdomen.

--I drive slowly and in silence.

--I rhythmically clean my house, cook a meal, wrap a gift or washdishes (yes, I sometimes like the feel soapy hot water on myhands).

--I sit anywhere and watch the world for a moment - the people,the trees and the clouds...whatever is happening in front of mefrom my vantage point.

--I sing (badly too, trust me).

When I do these things I am temporarily "free floating" and mymind is at some level disengaged from the need to achieve. It isa place where small moments of joy live.

Deirdre Maigread McEachern is a personal coach who helps herclients experience more joy in their lives. You can contactDeirdre for a complimentary consultation at 207-439-4280 orjoin her free monthly newsletter at http://www.vip-coaching.com.