Relief from My To-Do List

When I returned home from my trip I hit the ground running, burning the proverbial candle at both ends. I stayed up late and woke up early. And then, predictably, I hit the wall. Even the simplest item on my to-do list felt like it would require a Herculean effort.

My daughter said, “If you’re tired take a nap.” I didn’t think I could sleep, but I knew I’d crash harder if I didn’t rest. Plus my daughter was watching. I had to set a good example.

I crawled into bed. Tossed. Turned. Mentally revisited my to-do list. Rest wasn’t on it. Neither was “try a few new ‘healing’ techniques,” which I’d read about in David Elliott’s book, The Reluctant Healer. But that’s exactly what I ended up doing.

I rubbed lavender oil on my throat and on the back of my neck. The scent soothed me. I collected rocks from the garden, got back into bed, and placed one between my eyes, one on my chest, one on my solar plexus, one on my belly, one on my pelvis, and one in each hand as I lay down. The rocks felt grounding. I covered my eyes with an eye pillow and began breathing two breaths in and one long breath out through my mouth. I became very present in my body.

Then a thought arose: Slow down and be patient. Everything is unfolding at the right time and pace. Don’t move so fast.

I’d spent the bulk of my coast-to-coast plane ride reading David’s book. I don’t read as many books as I used to. Sadly, my attention span has decreased in recent years. I scan my iPhone and computer for information instead. But I adore books, which provide much-needed time and space to mentally wander and roam, to reflect, learn, and listen.

While resting in bed, I observed my active mind.  Dazzling thoughts leapt, spun, and twirled. Afraid to “lose” any good ideas, I considered getting up to write them down. But I didn’t want to remove my eye pillow and mess up the rocks, so I told myself, Surrender, relax, let go. You don’t have to cling to every thought that comes your way. They will continue to flow. No need to hoard them.

Next thing I knew, I was waking up from a delicious nap! I’d surrendered my to-dos, anxiety, and resistance, and had fallen into a deep, restorative sleep. I awakened two hours later ready, willing, and able to face the tasks at hand, which earlier had seemed insurmountable.

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