Tittyology

Even Hummingbirds Rest

   I was sitting on the patio of my room at the Lowes Ventana Canyon Resort. From the patio, I could look out over the mountains and the Saguaro Cactus forests. I could even see the waterfall.

What I noticed and enjoyed this particular morning were all the birds going about their daily duties. Some flitted about. Some rested on top of the old saguaros, but they each were very busy with their business.

Then the busiest bird of all, the hummingbird, caught my eye precisely because it wasn't busy. It had stopped to rest in the tree.

Now, I love hummingbirds, and I know that even they rest, but as I sat there in the calm of the desert morning drinking my coffee, it struck me how very much like the birds we are. We get caught up in our Daily Duties, our chores, our "to do" lists.

As I watched this tiny hummingbird taking a break, I thought about how often I forget to take a break, to take it easy on myself.

I recalled once hearing how fragile the hummingbirds legs were, that its legs weren't meant to stand still and that's why they don't.

I wonder if we become so accustomed to rushing about that we lose the ability to stop...or if we do stop, it feels strange and we don't quite know what to do with ourselves...especially if we're not doing for others.

That's one of the lessons I learned...it is necessary to stop, to breathe, to just be. And, it's okay - even necessary - to do so.

How often do you stop to rest? To take a drink of water? To just be? (That one's the hardest.) - And how often do you do this with the sole intention of simply resting...without the "to do" list running through your head, making you feel guilty because you slowed your pace?

It took cancer and surgeries to slow me down, to get me to really stop.

Take time for yourself, away from the world. I'm finding that it's easiest to do this in the a.m. before I get too involved with my day.

Try it. Schedule it if you have to, but take the time to stop. After all, even hummingbirds rest.

Retreat!

I've been away. I attended a retreat...which was a prize for me, something I treated myself to...I'll talk about this more. I think self-care is a lesson we can all learn. I just happened to learn it from breast cancer.

I attended the Life Purpose Vision Retreat in Tuscon, Arizona, with my new business coach, Beth Davis (www.thehandanalyst.com).

(That's me with Beth.)

It was three days at the Lowes Ventana Canyon Resort. Beth scheduled the days such that we'd have time to relax. Plus, there was a spa visit included. (I had a most luscious facial from Heather...the girl has healing hands. It was amazing! - and my skin looked fantabulous afterwards.)

This was the view from my window. I adore the desert. It was especially beautiful due to the recent rains they've gotten. Apparently, the've gotten more rain than usual due to the Mexican hurricanes.

So why a Life Purpose Vision Retreat?

Well, I've spent a lot of time over the years working on figuring out my life purpose, why I'm here. I've always had a sense that I am here for a reason and knew that I was slightly out of step with that reason,that flow.

I had the purpose figured out before the retreat, and I wanted to come out of the three days with a more solid idea of what it would look like...which I did. The retreat was a HUGE success all around. It was an amazing group of people.

I even met a gal I've only known through email. Rochelle supported me in my mastectomy decision by giving me the low-down on what to expect, and she did it in a way that was caring, truthful, and non-threatening. (Beth knows us both as clients and hooked us up. Thank you, Beth!)

Rochelle and I are going to be doing a project or two around breast cancer. She, too, really got her life together once faced with breast cancer. We're going to do something on Finding Power in the Breast Cancer Experience - Emerging Stronger, Better. (That's me with Rochelle below.)

Rochelle calls herself a cancer "thriver" not survivor. She, like me, finds the word "survivor" somewhat objectionable. I'm nitpicky with language, and to me, survivor implies that I was once a victim...and I don't feel like I was. It's cool if you disagree about my perceptions of the word survivor. It's definitely a good thing to be. I just don't identify with the victim side of it.

In my eyes, I have to thank cancer for my getting really clear about what I wanted and why I'm here. The year I spent wrestling with cancer served to "bring me home to myself." I started listening to that "small, still voice." I started listening to my dreams and following my gut instead of dismissing it.

And you know what??

Life runs a lot smoother when I listen to and follow that voice - if not smoother, I'm much more at peace when I follow my heart - easier said than done for me. I think this is something I will need to be mindful of for the rest of my life.

I've learned a lot about myself in the last year and saw a lot of those lessons come to life before an audience at this retreat. Truly life changing!

So, cancer has been a gift. I think about where I was last year and look at where I am now. I never would have guessed nor could I have imagined...and I have a vivid imagination.

I loved my life before, and my life now is all that plus extra icing on top, and I saw that in spades while I was in Tuscon. I am blessed.