Holding Intent - Part VII
Dandelion, Oil on Canvas, 10" x 10", ©2007 Shan Bryan-Hanson
Too Tired to Think or Move
A few weeks ago I had a few nights in a row where I got very little sleep. As a result I was pretty wiped out for a few days. I went to the day job, checked email, chatted with kids, and that was about it. I realized that a very big key for me for holding my intent is to be well rested.
Not a super profound thought but it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying ‘I don’t have time to sleep 8 hours a day’. I find when I do that I end up getting less done. So really - I can’t afford to not sleep 8 hours a day.
Maybe I’m just getting old. I remember staying up 4 days in a row my last semester of college when I was 22 to complete a huge assignment in one of my classes. There is absolutely no way I could do that now.
In any case its bedtime because I have to be up at 5:30am to do yoga before getting the kids to school. I’ve only missed 2 mornings of yoga since Jan 1. It’s been harder to hold my intent of starting my day slowly with yoga and journaling with the kids home but its become a routine and it’s very important to me so I’m making it happen.
Art Trade
I love the above painting by Shan. She posted it on her blog in October last year and I went back and looked at it often thinking it needed to live at my house. I saved up enough to buy it earlier this year and was thrilled it was still available. I was even more thrilled when she asked to do a trade and selected Structures #71 in exchange.
Shan used to be one of my favorite bloggers. I loved her writing and obviously I love her art. She quit blogging last year and I still miss reading her thoughts.
Holding Intent - Related Posts
Transitioning and Intent
Holding Intent - Part I [Realistic Goals]
Holding Intent - Part II [Excuses]
Holding Intent - Part III [Focus]
Holding Intent - Part IV [Enough Time]
Holding Intent - Part V [Self Care]
Holding Intent - Part VI [Fear]
Posted by Lisa in: Intent
Tagged: Intent, Priorities
cynthia said,
March 22, 2008 @ 7:34 am
Don’t ya love when it works out like that - the trade that is. It’s a gorgeous painting!
My sleep is very important to me - I can’t function without it and become very grumpy and end up snappy to my family.
I pulled a few all nighters in the past couple of years when I was in CU’s MLA program. It worked for the 21+ year olds, but not for my 40 year old self. I really made myself sick.
Tracy said,
March 22, 2008 @ 10:17 am
How funny, I just posted about sleep (or the lack there of). It can really cause me to spiral downward, gathering speed toward a crash.
It’s good that you were able to build the habit while the kids were away, to give it a chance to take hold.
And about age….I’m trying to tell myself it’s not a problem with growing old, but that my body is getting wiser. Maybe a nap will help convince me.
jen coyle said,
March 22, 2008 @ 10:32 am
What a wonderful trade, the painting is just lovely, I love the colors. I was just thinking a few days ago of the all-nighters I pulled in college, I need 7-8 hours now just to function!
Shan said,
March 24, 2008 @ 8:21 am
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for sharing my painting on your blog. I love your piece as well. It’s currently in my office because I wanted to give a lot of art lovers the opportunity to see it. Everyone who does loves it.
I miss blogging and may return to it this summer, when my double job stint ends.
I’m a firm believer in getting my eight hours of sleep. I have no idea how I pulled all nighters in college!
Shan
Lisa Call said,
March 25, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
Shan - I’d love to see you return to blogging - woohoo! And thank you for the exposure you are giving my work! I’d do the same for you but I need the piece in my bedroom so I can see it every morning as I do yoga.
Tracy - how cool we both wrote about sleep at the same time!
Cynthia and Jen - those all nighters are a mystery now aren’t they! Good thing we are so on top of things and don’t need them anymore !