I got up a few minutes late this morning, which put me in overdrive immediately, without a moment to stretch and welcome the morning. Taking the dogs for a walk, feeding them, fixing a quick breakfast for my son and preparing his lunch for school is difficult to have all done in 30 minutes.

After dropping my son off at school this morning, I started listening to the raindrops falling rhythmically on my windshield. I was changing my Sirius radio to another genre and stumbled upon a classical station that was playing a Handel piano concerto. I left it there….a genre that I don’t ordinarily listen to in the early morning, mainly because I need something rocking to wake me up in the morning! This morning felt different. After getting through the rush, I felt like I was in slow motion. As the piano keys played one by one and then many at a time I realized something…I needed this moment. It was my body telling my mind to take a few minutes to re-energize. As I continued to listen to the rain drops and piano, my journey back home in the traffic became less stressful. My mind was paying attention to the cars and road while the piano keys kept striking lightly in the background. When I arrived home, the concerto was almost finished so I sat in my car with the engine off and just listened.

We all lead busy lives these days and sometimes just need a few minutes to get ourselves back on track. I exercise regularly, sleep well most nights and thought I was relaxed. My car ride home told me I need to take a little time more often to let my mind and body relax. Take time for yourself! We all need that in order to be more productive and to be a nicer person to those around us.