Today was truly relaxing. Nothing happened, snow fell, my mind feels still.
I woke up around 8:45 and got myself ready to practice. Moving felt soooo good after yesterday's stillness. The rotator muscles in my hips (particularly the piriformis) have been hurting me again lately--a symptom of sitting too much--so I focused my efforts this morning on stabilizing and stretching those long, weak muscles. Warrior II felt particularly good, with my hip adductors stretching and my abductors holding me in place. I did some Sun Salutations, did some transitional poses, then moved onto my side for some leg lifts and hip circles to strengthen the rotators. Contracting all of the muscles in my lower abdomen certainly did some favors for my digestive system today :). After a few counterposes, I was ready for savasana. No still mind for me today, but the practice was certainly refreshing, and much needed for the rest of the day.
Following my practice was a good, old-fashioned, Sim binge. For Christmas, Zack promised me two days over break where I could just relax, play the Sims, and not have to worry about cooking or cleaning or... anything! I had a really wonderful time today keeping my mind focused on something fun. Remembering the thoughts I had last night on just enjoying the time away from responsibilities, I was able to really let go and relax. This intention carried over into my playing style, as well. Whereas I would usually be strategically planning my Sims actions out for specific goals, today I was enjoying the simplicity of watching the little digital people go about life. I directed one of the Sims to switch on some nice music, and for the first time in a little while I really felt myself relax. I tried to keep this going all day, and for the most part I succeeded. Instead of worrying how much I was getting done, or how I was using my time, I just enjoyed being in the moment. I certainly feel much better now than I usually do after 8 hours of staring at a screen, pressing buttons. Who knew that I could turn playing the Sims into a practice as well?
Not that I am making excuses to play more Sims or anything :)
After my allotted binge time (8 hours) was up, I gave my sewing project some more attention with the same idea in my head: take it at a leisurely pace, don't force anything. This was like level 2 of holding this intention, since sewing does require an amount of precision and control. How do you control something without being forceful? Ah, another practice. So I made some straps for my new bag and pinned them to the fabric that will make up the outside of the bag. I went to sew them onto the bag, but my eyes decided they were too tired to fool with that. Instead of stubbornly fighting fatigue, here I am at my computer, typing away.
Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. In the morning, I have an appointment for a massage (yay!) at 9:15. After that, I need to run some errands (like mail some Christmas gifts! Oh my). I need to think about what I'm teaching in class tomorrow night, and I need to do some more work for Subha. It's also my intention to get going on my routines again, since this house is getting to be a little bit of a wreck. I can feel myself getting a little bit apprehensive about diving back in to "real life," but I really want to start out working in 2009 with a good attitude about my qualifications as a teacher and, really, as a person capable of caring for myself and a household. I think a good mantra for tomorrow is going to be "go with the flow."
Mmm.
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