Everyone is busy nowadays. It's hard to find time for anything. From the time we wake up in the morning until the time we go to bed, it's hard to find 30 minutes to simply be by yourself. If you are married with children, I know you can relate to what I am saying.
I have a girlfriend who is single and we were having the discussion about how the grass is always greener on the other side. I said I would love to have a few days when I come home to an empty house with peace and quiet. She said she would love to put the key in the door, knowing that someone is on the other end.
I had to laugh because although that sounds great, once it is a reality there are days when you wish everyone on the other side of the door would simply disappear for about an hour so you can come home and relax without having to start dinner, do homework, bathe children, iron clothes for the next day or prepare lunch for everyone to take to school and work the following day. I know I sure wish that would happen and I believe that most married women with children can relate to what I am saying.
Don't get me wrong! I love my family with all of my heart and all of my soul. But if they disappeared for an hour or two, I would probably love them even more. If I had just one day when no one was yelling, "Mommy!" or "Honey!" I wouldn't be mad.
In fact, finding time to be by yourself is totally necessary if you wish to live a happy, prosperous and purpose driven life. If there is noise going on around you 24/7 it's impossible to hear the quiet voice that speaks inside of us-that guides us and gives us direction on which path we should take. If that voice is not used to being heard, eventually, it would quiet itself and that is no good.
I know how hectic life can be. Trust me.
I know what it feels like to wish there were 35 hours each day and be willing to spend only 3 of those hours sleeping so you can get all the other things that you need to get done-done.
But the problem is most of the stuff that we need to get done, does nothing towards working towards our personal development.
If you simply let life dictate to you what you do with your life, you will find that there is never time to take simply for yourself. Yes, you can schedule a vacation every now and then and that is great. But, generally, on vacation you still are not spending time by yourself. You have planned an exhausting schedule that takes you here and there and everywhere. You are trying to get in all the sites and events that you can over a 5 to 7 day period. Most of us actually need a vacation after coming back from a vacation with all the activities that we've covered during that time period.
No matter how hectic your life may be IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU SPEND TIME EACH AND EVERY DAY BY YOURSELF TO THINK AND REFLECT ON LIFE AND LISTEN TO THAT INNER VOICE.
The same way each day you make sure that you have enough time to take a shower each morning or the same way you make sure that you eat lunch each day, make it a part of your daily routine to spend time with and by yourself.
When I say by yourself--that's exactly what I mean-by yourself. Go somewhere you won't be disturbed by the children, the spouse, the phone, the television, the radio, or your emails. Go somewhere you can have total peace and quiet.
Pick a time that is convenient for you.
I like the early morning. The reason I pick early morning is because everyone else is asleep. No one calls me early in the morning. There isn't any television or radio on or children or husband calling my name for any reason. I have total peace and quiet.
But it is entirely up to you as to what time works best with your schedule.
Once you find a quiet place and a quiet time try your best to be consistent in both the time and the location. Meaning, try to make sure you have your quiet time the same time and place each and every day.
And simply SIT and BE STILL.
I always start by saying a little prayer to God asking Him for His guidance on whatever it is that I am trying to overcome in my life. Right now, I am asking Him to help me be more like Him. I am asking that I am always mindful of the way that I speak and treat people - especially those that are closest to me.
I don't know about you, but I have the tendency sometimes to be more short-tempered with the people who are closest to me than I am with strangers. I am asking God to help me with this and to help me be more like Him in every way possible.
You can ask for whatever it is that you want to work on in your life.
Then, simply sit and relax. Pay attention to any thoughts that come to you.
These thoughts that we receive during our quiet "meditation" periods, are God's guidance. Our spirits are communicating with us and giving us direction on things to do in our life that will bring us the results that we are seeking.
You can achieve anything that you desire once you take the time to listen to that inner voice, that guiding light inside of you and TRUST it. This is important. You must TRUST that voice and do as it says. Don't second-guess it. There is no need to second guess because those directions are coming directly to you from God. Just LISTEN, TRUST and ACT.
ACTION POINT: For the next 30 days, find 30 minutes each day for quiet time. Whether it is in the morning, afternoon, or evening, doesn't matter. What matters is that you pick a time and be consistent. Find a quiet place. You can decide to go walking each morning in the park; or the bathroom might be the only place you can get peach and quiet, it doesn't matter. Perhaps you can only find time during your lunch break so you decide to spend 30 minutes sitting in your car in the back of the parking lot. Be creative. It doesn't matter where or when you do this, just make sure that you do.
Think of something that you would like to change about yourself, your life or your situation to make it better. And go into your quiet time with the impression on your mind and listen to your inner voice-that guiding voice.
Listen. Trust. Act. It will never steer you wrong.
Dawn Fields is a motivational speaker, author and coach. She has an amazing way of reaching you with her down-to-earth style and her ability to make the impossible seem possible. Sign up for her FREE weekly newsletter by sending a blank email to dawn@dawnfields.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Visit the web site at http://www.dawnfields.com. Be sure to tune into her weekly radio show Thursday nights at 9 p.m. at http://www.dawnfields.com/radioshow.htm