Lesson '1' In Taking A Moment For Yourself

I often wonder why you don't see more women in the outdoors. I'm not talking just hunting or fishing. I for instance, spend probably more time than I should, driving aimlessly through the mountains.....for various reasons (sometimes fishing, sometimes looking for wildlife, sometimes just because I needed to get away for a minute). I can honestly say that I really can't remember ever passing another woman that looked like she might be doing the same thing as me.....ever!!
I'm certain there are a number of reasons that keep us indoors, but I'm betting most women will agree that it is just plain hard to find the time. So... lets put down the first reason as being 'priorities'. We ALWAYS have things to do that seem more important at the time. (Yes, we do have responsibilities to tend to) Can't catch the morning sunrise because I have get the kids off to school, can't catch the sunset because I have to get dinner on the table, can't take an hour for myself because......well, you know the routine. I myself have missed many opportunities because I felt guilty taking time out for myself when there were so many things that needed to be done. Though I can't set your priorities in order for you, let me give you a little encouragement in the 'mental vacation' department. Sometimes a quick drive away from town is all it takes.....sometimes it's even less.

How often do you say, 'I really need a vacation?' Taking a vacation may not be as tough as you think. Yes, most vacations cost money and take time to plan. Well, this one doesn't require either. Try this....close your eyes and think for a moment of your favorite place, a place that makes you feel at ease, relaxed, laid back. Think of a place where no one and nothing can bother you. Tah dah! Ok, so I realize it wasn't as fun as a week in the Hawaii, but sometimes it only takes a moment to stop life at its craziest, get your head together, regroup, and get back to reality with a whole new outlook. Sometime, those little 'mental vacations' are a life saver. They can give you a new outlook on something that you couldn't figure out because you were so stressed over it. Sometimes, a 10 minute 'mental vacation' is all you need to go on about your day.

One of my favorite places is about a 3 hour drive from home. With the price of gas today, and a limited amount of DAYS to travel, I have a picture hanging in my office of that area. My job comes with a sizeable amount of stress on any given day. Let me give you a little insight into my brain. Stress takes too much time from a working mother of 3, so I have chosen to omit it from my daily happenings. Sometimes all it takes is a moment focused on that photo to relax me, and lessen my blood pressure. It is a reminder that stress is not worth the effort it takes, not worth the headache, and a reminder that there is more to life than whatever problem I may be facing at that moment. Staring at this photo, I often think of some of the accomplishments I have made while there, and it becomes an instant inspiration for overcoming hurdles. For instance, I once tracked on my GPS over 70 miles that I walked, yes WALKED, in a 3 week period while elk hunting there. 70 MILES.....ON FOOT.....if I can walk 70 miles through some pretty rugged terrain, I should be able to make it to the gym for 20 minutes on the treadmill.

This little 'photo vacation' idea came from my boss, who is from Wisconsin, and would often seem fairly depressed in the fall because she was not home to see the changing colors of the season. Though we live in a really scenic area, to her, nothing compared to the Fall colors in the Midwest. She would often point at a picture from her calendar and say "I'm going there...I'll be back later", and for a few moments she would stare at the photo. Oddly enough, she always came back from her 'mental vacation' with a smile.

Today, we have eliminated your excuse for a moment to yourself because you don't have enough time. Today, a moment, tomorrow an hour, and before you know it....maybe a WHOLE afternoon!!

Let me leave you with one last thought, if you can't take a few minutes out of your busy day to keep yourself sane, you're probably making everyone around you crazy.