Morning Folks 09 29 05

When we truly care for ourselves, it becomes possible to care for more profoundly about other people. The more alert and sensitive we are to our own needs, the more loving and generous we can be toward others. Eda LeShan

I found this quote in today's reading from Sarah Ban Breathnach's book Simple Abundance. I have had this book since 1996 and from time to time I go back to it. I attribute this Daybook of Comfort and Joy to changing my life 10 years or so ago.

Today's entry is all about self-nurturance at work and the rituals that we can follow to accomplish that. She has wonderful suggestions like having a favorite cup of tea, or taking ten minutes of quiet time at the end of a long day. She suggests making your work space pleasing and comfortable to all the senses; having a comfort drawer with useful items like aspirin, bandaids, pleasant smelling hand lotion and emery boards. And have a space in a drawer for a little toy box with grown-up office toys like the little rubber figures I have for different holidays in my drawer or the Spice Mouse I have on my computer that says "Who's the big cheese around here?" Having pleasant music playing and stretching twice a day and other suggestions such as these will help to make your workday more productive. So today I think I will neaten everything, put on some Mozart and take that last 10 minutes of the day to relax and just enjoy being in my space. Oh, one other thing: Did I mention that flowers from a Sweetheart help to make the atmosphere REALLY nurturing?


(Here is a picture of my Valentine's bouquet and you can see a little of my office
in the back ground. If you look really close you will see a paperweight which is a rock with the word "Nurture" carved in it. It was given to me by the former Assessor. I keep it where everyone can see it. I think it reminds me that we can all use some nurturing, even at work.)


This book is filled with wonderful fun and interesting little tasks to do or things to think about like inspiring quotes and stories and questions to ask yourself. But the best thing it taught me was to concentrate on gratitude and to work toward an authentic self. I would recommend it to all women, no matter at what stage of life they find themselves.

And I see on Amazon that there is one for men now called A Man's Journey to Simple Abundance. If it is half as good as the one I am familiar with, I hope you take a look at it.

I know some of you have Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy because I gave it to you. Although some of you might not have read it or gone all the way through a year with it, you can pick it up and start anywhere and go back to it year after year and I just hope it helps you to find your authentic self and reminds you how gratitude can change your lives.

So, there is my book report for today. If you have a book to tell us about, please leave a comment and share it with us. I would love that!

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Love,
Suz