"My mother believed that we should always be busy and every moment must be occupied with doing something. But I'm proud of the fact that I was myself as opposed to trying to be whatever I thought she wanted of me," says my guest Jennifer Peavey of her mother Jane. Ms. Peavey took advantage of her downtime during the pandemic and reflected on shifting her perspective.
Letting go of the busyness, was a gift Jennifer gave to herself.
Her grandmother was always keeping busy as was her mom, but Jennifer wasn't happy just doing things that she didn't really want to do.
My guest wanted to satisfy her interests of both the right and left sides of her brain. Becoming an engineer seemed like a logical career choice because her father was an engineer. Twenty years later, she realized she was bored and needed more. She retired and completed her Masters degree in Industrial Design. When Jennifer mentioned to her mom that she may pursue an architecture degree, her mother said "don't waste your time."
Jennifer's grandfather started having heart complications when her mom was just 9 years old. Jennifer is certain this is where and when the anxiety issues started for her mother. Jennifer's grandmother was also anxious and worried about her husband's health. Both women were always ready for the next emergency. Waiting for the other shoe to drop. Anxiety and stress can easily be passed down from generation to generation. In understanding her family's serious circumstances at the time, Jennifer felt it was now time to stop the cycle of anxiety and being busy just for the sake of being busy.
When intuition suggests something has to change, it's a good idea to listen to that silent voice. Jennifer took advantage of her downtime during the pandemic to reflect, plan, try new ways, analyze, stop, evaluate and try again.
Her result is her book Natural Reflectors.
Natural Reflectors: Moving From Burnout to Engagement by Phasing Reflection into Actions (Natural Reflectors Series Book 1)
Amazon Link: Natural Reflectors
https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Reflectors-Burnout-Engagement-Reflection-ebook/dp/B09DFNLLDW
The World Health Organization names stress as the health epidemic of the 21st Century. Slowing down not only reduces stress, but produces outcomes with a greater impact.
Natural Reflectors explores the idea of instilling, within our actions, a mindset of intentional reflection taken from the power of nature’s cycles. You will learn how a healthy process of managing one’s life has both elements of reflection and action. Find within these pages stories such as:
If you have ever thought that there must be a better way to find meaning and purpose in your everyday life, read
Natural Reflectors
. If you are tired of living on autopilot, or if you are seeking a greater connection with the world around you, this book offers hope.
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