Cant find time to read?

I love reading. I like to read a range of things; cooking magazines, self help journals, personal development books, fiction and more. I love talking about reading and referencing my thoughts and opinions from books that have struck a chord with me on some level.

However, these last few months have been particularly busy for me. I am juggling many different projects as well as continuing and growing the personal coaching side of my business. The other day I was struck by how little I had read this year. I have been given a highly recommended book to read which has sent me straight into a deep sleep three nights in a row after only a handful of pages. I was involved (or not as the case was) in a discussion about recently released books. I couldn't comment due to the lack of reading on my part. I have to admit to being a little embarrassed about this.

I imagine many people are in a similar boat to me; too busy to read during the day and too tired to read at night. I suddenly wasn't happy however with the solution being no books being read at all. So, I continued to engage in this conversation regarding books. One of the party involved may just have the answer. I was expecting it to be something that would create a hook for me, a new level of motivation, some vision that would somehow make me want to grab a book and read it from cover to cover. And came it did but much simpler than anything I could have figured out alone.

Audiobooks. Yes, simple but brilliant. A resource created for those who struggle to read. Well that was me. Not due to bad eyesight but lack of time and energy. And stop right now those thoughts of the elderly collecting their huge plastic encased tapes from the local library. I had those too. Having looked into it I found we have advanced hugely since those days and the internet provides vast amounts of new releases ready to be downloaded onto those modern gadgets; ipods and mp3's.

In a fast paced world there are still the resources to help us partake in the activities we wish, we just have to find them. And when we do? Pass them on.....

Good Company

I am sitting in a coffee shop, looking out of the window onto the spectacular view of Edinburgh Castle. I could sit here all day. As I take some deep breaths in to relax my body and mind, I partake in one of my favourite pastimes: people watching. I watch people out the window; couples strolling through Princess Street gardens, harassed shoppers partially sprinting in and out of shops, individuals wandering aimlessly in no direction at all. I watch people in the cafe; drinking their hot drinks followed by muffins of every flavour, tapping away on laptops (like I am), reading books, chatting with friends. I am however, most interested in those who choose to sit alone. The majority are.

What is it that makes some people relish their own company and come into an establishment like this one to spend time with themselves and some dread the thought of being alone even for a few minutes? I consider this as I sit looking around me. Those in company look like they are enjoying themselves, no doubt about that. They smile and chat and smile and look lively. But I can't help thinking there is a bit of effort required. Not that I am knocking hanging out with good friends, its something in life that I look forward to with great delight. However, on contrast to those facing an empty chair, there is a greater sense of relaxation and comfort. It is all a bit more natural and laid back. So, what is it that makes people decide to sit or stroll alone and have they sussed something in life that the others have not?

I try to practice and preach that time alone can sort a lot of things out. You have some quality thinking time to place some of those thoughts which would otherwise be buzzing around in your head. And even if you do no thinking at all, you are still grounding yourself and bringing things to a halt in ways you could not if you are always in other people's company. Being alone has massive benefits.

You should try this week to venture off on your own with no plans in mind and see where it takes you.

My husband is about to go on a walking holiday for a week by himself. The reaction from some is very interesting; people who cannot understand this and those who positively condone it. I am the latter and am relishing the time that this will leave me on my own too!