Be Alert!

 

There used to be a ‘funny’ bumper sticker “ Be Alert! Australia needs more Lerts” and I use to wonder what a “lert” was, because that’s the kinda questions I ask.

 

Today I discovered what a Lert is.

 

As with most days I was up early today, this morning feeling pushed for time…there is a lot happening here at the moment …You’ll hear more about that in the coming weeks.

 

I ran out the door to hang the washing on the line. Unwashed, patted down bed hair, coffee breath, with mascara a little smudged. I was making a mad dash for line before jumping in the shower and getting ready for the day.

 

When I stood back to look at my neatly hung washing and felt in my pocket for the door keys, the pit of my stomach sank. I searched and again my heart sank. And then I breathed, a little. Only enough to consider a few battle plans and then felt, with no choice, I had to call the Real Estate and feeling embarrassed ask for the spare keys. This has happened only twice in my life and both when I was distracted thinking of other things.

Having done that, I pounded down the street to the agents office feeling SO mad with myself . My To Do list accruing in my brain, attempting to find some creative solutions to meeting the deadlines I had mounting.

 

As I approached the office door I saw my reflection in the glass. Not happy Jan.

 

The receptionist was very pleasant and helpful, found my managing agent who came out for a chat while the receptionist found the keys.

I apologised for the trouble, saying I had so much on and was rushing when I  walked out the door to hang the washing on the line, which explains my attire. I added it was a big reminder to pay attention.

 

She assured me it was no trouble, and that she had had a reminder herself just yesterday. Rushing between appointments and then to get home, she left the headlights of the car on and now had a flat battery. “ So I need to slow down and pay attention too!”

 

I cracked a smile. I had been asking for divine inspiration all week for the topic of this week’s newsletter and was patiently waiting for an answer. Here it is!

 

Pay Attention

 

Spring time and Summer are busy, busy times. We are hardwired by nature to be planting and nurturing the ‘crops’ of our life so we can harvest them in just 4 week‘s time at the summer solstice when we celebrate the harvest and the wins!

 

As part of it’s primal nature your brain can be acting on the effects of the adrenal rush to push toward these goals…feeling depleted, running on empty or simply pushed for time?

 

On my walk home from the agent, I felt a sense of triumph. “Well, you learnt that one Deb! Slow down, pay attention, breathe, in for 4 this time, hold for 2, out for 4, hold for 2” and did this just 3 times and I let go of all those negative feelings

 

“ AND you’ve found the newsletter topic too!. Well done! Hurry home so you can catch up”…and I pushed hard up hill ( it IS Coogee) more positive.

 

Crossing the road I ducked between a car and behind the truck that had stopped at the intersection. As it took off,  it rolled back and the corner missed my head by a few centimetres I gasped as I felt the breeze rush between the truck and my head and my heart pounded at the near miss.

 

When I got to the footpath I was SO grateful!

 

Be Grateful and Present

 

And SO grateful I had taken those 3 breaths on the way up the street to bring me Present enough to duck.

 

So, there on the footpath I put a hand just under my belly button and again breathed…in for 4, hold for 2, out for 4, hold for 3…this time for 9 repetitions. That’s when the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems connect and take you into a deep space of calm and Present.

 

How did I know it worked? I noticed the scent of the sea salt from the ocean a block away and with it the frangipani trees and breathed it in. I then noticed their floral beauty for the first time today.

 

As I walked passed  a day care centre as the children were arriving to start their day, I noticed they were dressed up…a 4 year in her proud as punch pink nurses outfit and her 3 year old brother dressed like a lifesaver and I breathed in, with a big smile on my face and chuckled.

 

You know You are Present when you can laugh.  That’s the test. If you are not laughing you are not Present, you are thinking about the Past or in the Future. And that’s being a Lert.

 

Now, like most stories I tell they may sound like they are about me when in fact they are more about You.

 

So Be Present.

 

Life needs You to Be Present.

 

You need to Be Present to enJOY Life, and to live the Life You are Meant to.

 

One step at a time, breathing deeply and enJOYing each moment.

 

Be kind and True to You,

 

All the best always,

Deb