coming up for air

It's been a while since I've been here. The first four months of 2017 have been non-stop - and we're not complaining. We've been to Key West (a family visit and all the Key Lime Pie we could stand), Mobile (our first Mardi Gras), Branson (connecting with the entire southern United States and fellow travel writers) and now, Italy (a once--in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to home) is next week! In between all these destinations and stories, there have been weddings, a commercial shoot, grandchildren birthdays, deadlines and the never ending effort to have a water heater installed. We haven't succeeded at that just yet; we fear, we'll be greeted one morning by the proverbial cold shower - and not for the reason you might think!
    I can't remember the last time I said, "I"m bored. I don't have anything to do." I like being busy, staying committed, being on task. Productive. However, there are moments when just chilling can be good for the soul. In fact, when I try, it's hard to simply live in the moment, inhale and exhale, and clear my mind. Never in my wildest dream would I have thought downtime would be hard. This achievement falls in the category of "must do."
     I'm learning how to come up for air, even if its only for five minutes a day. Clear my head, walk away from the computer, the edits, the words. Leave everything in its place; for sure, all will be there when I return.
    And on the other side of the coin, I am thankful for work, for growth, for purpose. I never want to stop learning. Mama always said, "There's always something you don't know." Man, was she right. I intend on tripping over what I don't know and making it mine.
     May we all learn how to inhale and exhale during this magnificent life and value the moments when we must come up for air.