Embrace Your Project

We painted our basement rec-room this weekend.  I’d forgotten how satisfying putting color on walls can be — it’s a lot of work too!  As I worked my way around the room, cutting in the trim, I couldn’t help but think of my dad.

Dad was always working in his garage workshop on some project or another.  He loved woodworking and spent hours turning out beautiful items.  I didn’t really understand the attraction until after he passed away.  There is something very soothing in the act of sanding a piece of wood.  There is something calming and centering about focusing your attention on doing something with you hands and letting your mind go free.
My father was a psychologist and lived with three women (my mom, my sister and me.)  Is there any wonder he might need a break?  After he passed, I finished a cradle we started together.  Sanding and finishing the wood helped me heal the grief.  Over the years I’ve taken on many other projects, and found some of my best thinking happens when my hands are occupied.

How often in life do you have a project you can complete in a weekend.  We all need the satisfaction of a job done well.  Don’t discount the contentment a hobby or project brings into your life.

Are you making time to enjoy a project and see it through?  The time you spend painting  a wall, building a project, making that scarf or whatever you enjoy will clear your head.  Completing the project will bring a sense of accomplishment often unavailable in other parts of life.

Give yourself permission to enrich your life with a project and embrace your heart.

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Eliz Greene is the Busy Woman’s Guide to a Health. Drawing on her experience surviving a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggling to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com