Decadent, Yet Well-Deserved
On Sunday I did something highly unusual for me. I sat on my deck and read a book from start to finish.
For many of you, this would not be unusual at all. In fact, reading books might be what you do every weekend.
Not me.
I spend a significant amount of time every week— especially Sundays— writing my own material. I write Wednesday Wisdom. I write a monthly blog for financial advisors. I’m working on the manuscript of my second book. I also create content for a coaching group I facilitate. Much of my free time is invested in my own writing. Rarely do I dedicate time to read someone else’s book. But this week I did, thanks to a new friend. During a phone call, Courtney mentioned a book she thought I’d enjoy called Heart Boss by Regan Walsh. I told her I never heard of it. A few days later, it arrived in my mailbox.
I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but I always do.
I opened the Amazon package and immediately noticed the bold graphics, the feel of the paper, and the catchy subtitle. On Sunday afternoon, I opened the front cover and started with the intro. I was hooked. The author’s writing grabbed my attention. Her story felt like my story. It was one of those books I wished I myself had written for the world to read.
So there I was on Sunday, sitting in an Adirondack chair spending consecutive hours reading a book. No big deal, right? For some reason it felt decadent— and the whole scene had me wondering, “Why don’t I do this more often?”
Normally I don’t read books until vacation. I save them until we go on a trip, pack them in my beach bag, and lay on a chair in the sunshine, day after day, losing myself in the pages and the stories. I love actual books, not a Kindle, not audiobooks. I appreciate turning pages, dog-earring corners, and holding the physical book in my hands. Reading makes me happy.
Problem is, I haven’t taken a vacation due to the pandemic. And like you, I’m busy on weekends. Sitting down to read a book never comes up for me as an activity. But it occurred to me on Sunday while enveloped in Heart Boss how much I love to read. (Note to self: Read more. Enjoy other people’s words and stories. Don’t wait until vacation to enjoy this treat.)
And so I have to ask: What’s your “Read a Book on a Sunday” equivalent? Is it taking a hike in the woods? Drawing? Fishing? If you unplugged and did something totally decadent for yourself, what would it be? One friend makes gourmet cupcakes when she wants to do something special for herself (I’ve been the recipient of the cupcakes. Yum.) Another friend goes into his wood-working shop in his basement and makes incredible, time-consuming, beautiful cigar boxes. My son opts to take a ride in his car with no destination, cranks up great music, and just drives.
What’s the thing you’d do if you had more time?
In her book Heart Boss, Regan Walsh talks about being busy, over-scheduled, and stressed. She points out how unrealistic it is to fantasize about having more time. The truth is, we all have the same 24-hour days. And it’s our choice how those hours get used. We can’t conjure up more hours in the day to do the things we love— instead we have to free up the hours we actually have, make different choices, and deliberately make stuff happen.
Over the next seven days, consider what you’re going to do to unplug. Bake cupcakes? Go for a ride? Take in a movie all by yourself? Send a great book to a friend? (thank you Courtney!)
Most importantly, how are you going to take back some of those pre-scheduled hours for yourself? This is a gift worth giving yourself... and haven’t you earned it?
This Week’s Resources
Tom Hanks Just Got Even Cooler
Are you a fan of Tom Hanks? He's the kind of guy you imagine would be easy to hang out with: funny, unpretentious, and cool, right? Well, you'll find that his car collection is the same. And some of his most unique vehicles are going to auction. Check out his amazing collection here, including his one-of-a-kind Air Stream: https://www.insidehook.com/article/vehicles/tom-hanks-car-collection-auction
Strike a Pose
I might be the last one to the ball, but I finally started watching the series Pose on Netflix last week. I consider myself a pretty educated person, but realized through Billy Porter's series that I knew absolutely nothing about the House Mothers of the 1980's and the critical role they played in the lives of gay men throughout the AIDS epidemic. The show is entertaining, educational, and different than anything I've seen in a long time. https://www.netflix.com/title/80241986
Let Your Heart be Boss
And I would be remiss if I didn’t include the link to Regan Walsh's book Heart Boss. In it, you will learn how to Trust Your Gut, Shed Your Shoulds, and Create a Life You Love. Check it out here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Boss-Trust-Shoulds-Create/dp/1544518730
Disclosure: Securities and investment advisory services offered through registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC. The Jamrog Group is not a subsidiary of MML Investors Services, or its affiliated companies. Supervisory Office: 330 Whitney Ave. Suite 600 Holyoke, MA 01040 Telephone: (413) 539-2000.
