Photo Caption: I bought this hibiscus for my mom’s birthday one year. It’s her favourite flower and blooms every August into September. After I walked with her one busy morning, she encouraged me to stop and smell the flowers. What a good mother.

I recently came back from a long weekend harassed with a bunch of stuff. I came back to two big work projects, a car that wouldn’t work, and an added responsibility to look after my sister’s place while she was away.

Let’s just say that wasn’t my best week and I wasn’t my best self. In my weakness I lost my peace with all of the busyness. 

I am sure we have all encountered the stress of dealing with everything at once, running with our heads cut off.

My wise-old mother shared some insights when I spoke to her about the busy season. God love her. She encouraged me to stop and smell the roses. There are not a lot of roses nearby my place, but I did walk in the neighbourhood. I noticed all the different plants and blooms—even in a month like September! A fresh gust of wind and a crisp air helped me to center myself and be present in the moment.

So I thought, Am I too busy? 

Here are some other questions that I thought about:

When I think about the upcoming weeks ahead, do I feel a burden with the amount of work on my plate? Am I generally pretty tired? Have I not been my best self? Why?

During that week I could have easily answered ‘Yes’ to all of them.

I am reminded that leaders lead themselves well especially during busy seasons. By stopping and smelling the roses, we take time for our most precious commodity: ourselves.

Taking time for ourselves is important for leaders. Yes, we can’t expect that we are our best selves every day. But if we do not take care of ourselves, especially when it’s busy, how can we lead or take care of others?

Here are some things that helped me take time for myself during a busy season:

• Get rest. After an exhausting week, I gave myself permission to say no to activities with friends. I went to bed early. It gave me a greater Yes for my next day.

• Proper nourishment. I believe our diet and what we eat is tied to how well we feel. I bought more veggies and fruits to nourish my body. I looked for colour and variety.

• Quiet study. Taking time for ourselves can give us perspective for the bigger picture of life. Finding a good book can help us with perspective. I read a biography on Pope St.John Paul II to finish my day. It reminded me that I am great for who I am, not what I necessarily do.

• Prayer and meditation. I read from the Desert Fathers that one Abba woke up every morning and made a fresh and new beginning. I took that to heart and began my day with prayer. Did it solve all my problems? No. But it centered my focus on what really matters in life.

Oh, to be busy, running like a chicken with our heads cut off. If we don’t take time for ourselves, to stop and smell the roses, then we might not be able to take care of others too.