for the life of me, i haven’t been able to relax lately.  lately as in, the last 20 years.  is this simply how it feels to be an “adult”?  if so, i say a resounding “no” to adulthood.

i know there are more things to stress out about when you’re grown than when you’re a child and don’t know what taxes and mortgages are, but i don’t really buy that.  shouldn’t childhood, or at least the high school/college years, have been more stressful?  when you’re a teenager, one false move and your entire path could have changed.  i had so many dreams of what i wanted to do with my life.  i wanted to make sure i worked as hard as possible to realize those dreams.

now, at almost 42, those goals have been accomplished.  i’m a professional musician, i’m married to a great guy, i own a home, and i live in a great city.  those really were my main goals.

so, why can’t i relax and enjoy the fruits of all my hard work?

so this fall, with all my have-to’s and running around from rehearsal to gig to the gym to the grocery store ~ i’m going to add one more goal.  RELAX.

i hope you can do this with me.  or help me do it?  i’m really going to need help with this one.

last night, i began my routine with my own personal-sized party-for-one cheese plate, and some lovely pinot noir. (that’s sliced turkey, tillamook cheddar, a gorgeous bleu, some nut thins, and a trio of jalapeno mustard, stone ground mustard, and grapefruit preserves)…

on my beautiful deck that was not used all summer (shame) …

with a silly girly magazine (gotta get the scoop on fall fashions, right?)

and this view accompanied me…

it was warm out there, with a nice breeze, and for a moment, i chilled the heck out.  never easy.  but a little goes a long way.  just 20 minutes of relaxation and i feel like i can handle today’s crazy schedule (2 rehearsals and a performance ~ ay yay yay)

i wish i could meditate or read a devotional book or pray or do yoga.  but for now, i have to start with just relaxing and not making it fancy.

won’t you join me this fall, with all the goings-on and craziness, and take out a few minutes each day to just step away from our hectic lives for a moment and relax?

i know everyone out there has different ways to take time out.  i’d love to hear some of your favorite ways to chill!  please post them if you feel like sharing!