Once a week I grab a chair at Fredo’s barbershop.
I go there for a hot towel shave, one of the greatest services ever invented.
Once I’m in the chair and Fredo begins to remove the week-long stubble, it doesn’t take much for me to go into a deep meditative state – without trying.
The buzzing sound, the hot towel, the aroma, along with the trust and the patience, all work together to give me an hour of “me time.”
It’s much cheaper to shave myself at home. A lot cheaper.
But what if I store all those shaves at home for something better? Something that makes me feel fantastic?
My wife goes to get her hair done, to workout, to get a facial, to get her nails done, and so on. A lot of “me time,” eh?
And she deserves it.
So do I.
This is why I encourage so many others to do the same.
Figure out a way to break away from the home and office, at least once a week, where someone removes your cuticles or whiskers. And if the above isn’t in your budget at the present time, then find an alternative “me time” that doesn’t cost a penny.
In fact, “me time” is best when it gets served at least once a day.
Going for an early morning or evening walk qualifies as “me time.”
Hitting the gym or dojo does as well.
Sitting on the couch to read a great book is a daily favorite.
But most important of all is taking time each day to work on “the face behind your face” – also known as your self-image.
Sit on the edge of your bed first thing in the morning and download a smile into your brain and nervous system. Spend at least five minutes doing so before you do anything else.
Beat into your consciousness the reality that other people don’t come first. YOU come first.
Why?
Because if you don’t make “me time” for yourself, it won’t be long before you can’t stand being with yourself.
Once you acquire the “me time” habit, you’ll naturally begin adding to it. As a result you’ll end up getting more done instead of less.
It’s a huge brain-bender. Supposedly there’s not enough time in the day for you to get stuff done – but if you take time to visualize and/or meditate, additional time appears.
This is called dilating time – something that never happens to those who put everyone and everything else ahead of themselves.
Uncanny, yet true.
Carve out your “me time” today.
Start with a minute to get yourself flowing. When you realize the world didn’t end because you took a minute for yourself, then add on and see if you get the same result.
Now it’s time to go see Fredo. A hot towel shave awaits.
See it. Feel it. Be it.
Matt Furey
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