Turning up for rest



I don’t know whether you are like me, but I am a doer-girl. A girl who has always loved being busy and engaged with others. It’s not that I fear being alone or on holidays. Yet even then, I love a good fun schedule of activities organised, and if I can, a fast horse ride.  

I’ve been learning in my middle years to be comfortable with quieter times. To ‘turn up’ for the moments of rest.

When a quieter time is offered, I try not to quickly fill the space. Choosing instead to be comfortable with this opening in my full, fun life. And embracing a slower pace and a quieter room for a while.

Recently I went to the doctor and it dawned on me what a classic opportunity a medical waiting room is to embrace a slower pace. 

So why not take up the challenge. Next time you are in a medical waiting room, take the opportunity of a quieter time:

·      to think

·      observe others 

·      contemplate and imagine

·      be present in the waiting room!

Try not to automatically seek to take yourself out of that room by grabbing your phone and doing some emails, or scanning social media – you can tell I’ve been there!

Enjoy and be comfortable with nothing to do.

We used to do this, in a bygone era! Pre phones!  The only reading material available would have been the well-worn Reader’s Digest on the waiting room table!

Let’s turn up to the stillness of a medical waiting room and rest the soul.

No Regrets. 

Penny


About Penny

Penny was born in England, raised in New Zealand, lived in America and settled in Perth, Australia. Together with her husband Mark, she is raising a teenage daughter and has twin twenty-something sons. "Coming home at the end of a solid working day to family and friends is my delight" says Penny, Co-author of the book – She’s Not Your Competition. She is a heart-felt communicator who believes in the power of a person’s story. Penny has over 25 years experience as a high level leader and spokesperson in both the private and non-profit sectors with significant public relations experience. She is currently the CEO of South Coastal Women's Health Services, and prior on the Leadership Teams of Rise Network and Riverview supporting people in areas of mental health, domestic and family violence, and children overseas at risk of exploitation. She holds an MBA and MBL, and is a Board Director for the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. For the past 15 years she has provided pro-bono support as a mentor for leaders and consultant to not for profits. Penny’s personal life endeavour is a determination to "make life better not bitter".