I received an intriguing message from my friend and colleague, holistic pyschotherapist Dr. Lynda Klau. The subject line was “You probably don’t have time to read this email.” I thought, “You got that right,” and for that very reason, I opened it. She told the story of how she taughter her mother, facing cancer at age 73, how to recapture lost time and claim every minute of her life. Here are the bare bones of it:
The Tools I Taught My Mother — (c) Dr. Lynda Klau
1. As an introduction to practicing “mindfulness,” sit quietly for five minutes every day. Is this hard for you? Tell me why!
2. Structure your day with attention to the needs of each part of you: body, mind and spirit. Make sure to include time for breaks. Remain flexible to changes in your schedule and adjust accordingly. What struggles do you face while planning your day? How do you deal with interruptions in your schedule?
3. Use positive affirmations, such as “I have time for everything I need to do today,” to balance the negative thoughts, feelings and beliefs that interfere with your relationship to time. It is especially useful to hold these affirmations on our busiest and most hectic days. How do negative thoughts interfere with your time?
If you’d like to learn more, go to Dr. Klau’s blog for a free podcast and printed report. And, by the way: have a lovely time every minute of this day you’re living.
Note to readers in the Kansas City area: I’ll be speaking on “Victoria’s Victorious Bailout Plan,” Tuesday evening, May 19, for the Cornerstone Foundation, Unity Temple on the Plaza, 47th & Jefferson Streets. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door; order by calling Christine Garvey at the Cornerstone Foundation: 816-561-4466. If the cost of tickets is an issue, volunteer opportunities and scholarships are available. There’s a reception to follow — it should be a very nice evening.
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