Friday, September 20, 2019

BACK TO YOU TIME AND RAFFLECOPTER

By Caroline Clemmons


Our theme for this month is “back to you”. What does that phrase mean to you?

For me, this phrase conjures visions of many pleasures: A relaxing massage. Reading while curled up in a comfy chair. Time spent with Hero and our two daughters. Walking with Hero on a clean beach at the water’s edge at sunset—especially in a quiet yet exotic place. Standing with Hero and watching the elk come into town in Estes Park, Colorado. Sitting in our family room with Hero and watching a movie on TV. Renting a cottage in Ireland to spend a month sightseeing (File this one under pie-in-the-sky).

As you can see, there’s a wide range of things that give me pleasure or would if I could indulge myself. Some are free, some represent expense. I’m happy with the free ones even if I dream of the others.

To me the idea of “back to you” means recharging our bodies by allowing ourselves even an hour or two of downtime. Writers are guilty of either writing or thinking about what we plan to write 24/7. For me, “back to you” means not pondering our stories, but simply enjoying the moment.

(That isn’t as easy as you might think. Writers tend to think about writing from every angle. A bad experience or a good one is filed away for future reference. Everything is research for us.)

From an early age I was trained to be diligent and to do my best. A strong work ethic was part of my upbringing. Several years ago at my annual physical, I confessed to my doctor that I was often tired. He noticed my feet and ankles were swollen. Imagine my delight when my physician told me to rest on the bed for one to two hours each afternoon. Bless that man, he ordered me to take a nap! Hooray! 
Back to me time!

What do you do for “back to you” time?

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10 comments:

  1. A doctor-ordered nap! How lovely. I hope things have improved, Caroline,

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  2. Hi! I enjoy reading, drinking tea and watching my favorite show, but mostly I write. That really is my therapy. It completely takes my mind off of whatever bothers me. Another thing that completely recharges me is reading the daily readings from the Bible. The wisdom I receive and the peace I feel are unparalleled. I hope you feel better, too!

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  3. I do love sinking into a good book and ignoring everything else! Nothing better!

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  4. I think it is so important we take time for ourselves and recharge. Great reminder, Caroline

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  5. A doctor who prescribes a nap. There's a man who appreciates the value of sleep. Bet that was the best and cheapest prescription from a doctor ever.

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  6. I didn't know that you lived near Estes Park. I grew up in Loveland and have so many fond memories of that area.

    Your doctor sounds like a brilliant man. :D

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  7. One of the gifts of retirement is that, although you still have to be good at managing time, you no longer have to be the last person on your list. (I know, they say you shouldn't be anyway, but it's a position I never really regretted.) I do love the idea of a medically ordered nap, though.

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  8. Nancy, I'm trying to take my doctor's advice too, but it's damned hard for someone like me who has always taken life at warp speed. I guess I've been resistant because I'm making progress SO slowly. One day I can accomplish miracles. Then it takes me 2 days to recover. *sigh* Larry keeps telling me to be patient. Not my strong suit when it comes to things I want or need to do.

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    1. Oops, I must have Nancy on the brain—what's left of it, that is. *LOL* Sorry, Caroline. Maybe I need a daily nap too.

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  9. Whatever works, seems like rafflecopter is ok, naps are great. Sleep is so important.

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