How many times have you heard the phrase, you can’t see the forest for the trees?  Umpteen, I suspect.  But have you ever heard the phrase “It’s more difficult to see the forest when you’re running through the trees?”

Probably never.  It was a phrase my Mum used when trying to get me to pause…just for a moment.  She was trying to get me define my life not by what I did, but by who I was.  Not for many years did I understand the value of her words…as in most of the wisdom that she tried to impart…it used to fall on stony ground.

Tree

I was like the White Rabbit. What is it with me and Alice in Wonderland?  I’m late, I’m late for a very important date…was my motto.  It wasn’t that I was really late for anything, this was my attitude to life.  Had to get things done. Had to keep moving. Living life at such a fast pace that it was mostly a blur.  Certainly no time to stop and smell the roses.

rose garden

It didn’t matter how quickly I moved, how much I did, I still fell further and further behind.  I always had another project, another task to be accomplished.    There were those who whispered type A personality.  What?  Rubbish and I rushed on to my next project.  Overachiever?  Me?  Really?

It was exhausting.  I was drained, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I became ill.  Then I had to slow down.   Boy, was I sick.  But the good news was that I didn’t care.  It didn’t matter two hoots whether I accomplished something or nothing.  Actually accomplishing nothing felt better.  I was relieved.  I now had permission to do nothing.  To pause and just breathe.

What an eye opener.  I began to understand the quote  “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

Sea of Rape Seed in Lincolnshire

I was working life from the outside in and surprise, surprise, it didn’t turn out very well.  I began to learn…hey I was a little slow on the uptake I know…but I did begin.  I was awakening.  Awakening to the fact that who I was determined what I did.  Not the other way around.  My life mirrored back to me perfectly that I believed I had to do much to be worthy.  I had to do much to measure up.

I started to learn about the creative process in life and understand my role in it.  I had first to decide that I was worthy and all my ‘doing’ would stem from that belief.  I began to realize, in just a small way, that it was my thoughts and feelings that created my actions and from there came my results.  I looked around and saw that life was beautiful.

It was scarey to do things differently, but it was also a blessed relief.  My feet were sore from all that running. And life is so much easier when there’s time to breathe.

Encourage each other.

Love Elle.

xoxo

Images

Martin Lopatka

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Author

Elle Sommer is the author of 4 books and a workbook. Her latest publications are a series called The Power of Consciousness, and you will find all three books in this trilogy now available on Kindle. She shares quotes, inspiration and positive vibes on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. And her greatest desire is to encourage and inspire others to create not just a good life, but a phenomenal life.

3 Comments

  1. Hi Elle,
    I like your Mum’s saying.Pause, reflect, embrace…..you gotta make the time to do this.
    be good to yourself
    David

    • Elle

      My Mum was a smart cookie…took me a while to get with the programme.

  2. Joseph Appaloosa

    I have always been a proponent of savoring the moment, of enjoying not only the harvest but the planting and seed-time as well. It all goes by so very quickly. Thank you for another lovely article.
    Write on, Elle !

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