I came into the house and dropped the groceries on the kitchen table. The house was quiet and I wondered where everyone was. I walked over to the cabinet and started loading items in. I heard farmiliar tippy toes behind me and I smiled knowing what was coming. Then came the sound and I jumped intentionally acting surprised so I could get that smile that I've grown accustomed to. That's my daughter creeping in on me trying to make me jump. It seems to crack her up watching me jump in fright. She does it all the time and it amuses me that it still gets her super excited.
"Mum! It's me". she shouted in excitement.
"You got me! I said smiling at her innocence.
She started rummaging through the grocery bags as she always does trying to find something interesting.
"Mum, you look very tired". She said coming over to stand beside me as I continued to store the groceries in their respective places. "You never sit down mum". She added looking concerned that I rarely took a rest.
I did feel very tired. I actually haven't been sitting down much this past couple of days. It's been a busy week and coupled with the kid's homeschooling, It has been an exhausting week.
"I do need to sit down I said finally sitting down on the chair in the dining area. She came and sat beside me and we started to chat about how busy it has been for me. It's the most wonderful time of the year and definitely the most busiest time also.
"Mum can we go see the sleigh over at the mall?" She asked looking at me with those big brown eyes pleadingly.
I thought of dinner that needed to be made. I thought of the laundry still in the washer. My mind also wandered to all the work assignments that I had to complete. My To-Do list seemed endless.
"I think we should" I agreed. I needed a fun atmosphere to unwind. My body at that time felt like a machine that has been working for hours non stop and needed to be unpluged.
We got to the mall and it was such a beautiful sight with the humongous Christmas tree and all of the amazing ornaments. We walked around admiring all the decorations. We got some ice cream and I felt refreshed just walking around not saying anything but enjoying each other's company. We got to the big sleigh and I took a picture of my little girl sitting on the sleigh. My head was beginning to clear from all of the fatigue I had felt earlier with just some time spent in that beautiful environment.
We left the mall a little later. My daughter looked up at me in the parking lot and said.
"Now you don't look very tired anymore mum. I'm glad you took time to relax." I'm sure even Santa's sleigh take a rest from delivering presents." She added smiling.
It has been not only relaxing but invigorating. Watching the smile on my daughter's face and the way she looked adorable on the sleigh at the mall was also priceless. She sure is my sleigh princess. I thought.
"You are my sleigh Princess". I said aloud giving her a huge hug for helping me take the much needed rest. "You sure made me realize how tired I was". I said.
No matter how strong or resilient you are, you are bound to get to that point when you need to sit down and take a rest. Rest is good for your body, your mind and your soul. You should be able to understand the language of your body when it's talking to you. Making healthy choices is what we owe to ourselves.
According to Eleanor Brownn, "Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel."
I'm back home with my sleigh Princess and all I can say is that it has been time well spent revitalizing.
As we get closer to Christmas and the new year, let's make time for sober reflection. As we update our to-do-list, as we add to our shopping list, let's remember to make "You" the number one priority. It is easy to take for granted your ability to work your body endlessly but remember that your body isn't made out of wood. When you begin to feel burnout, that is your body telling you it's time to unwind. Don't wait until you break down before you take a break. Take a break to break the exhaustion.
This is wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a glorious New Year. I wish everyone happiness, good health, and may all your wishes come true.
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