Stress can really take its toll if you let it, and this time I did, albeit, unknowingly. I wasn't on top of my game so a flu-like bug had a chance to slip in. Three hours before I boarded my flight to London, a dear friend stopped by and shared some news with me regarding their health. LA to London to Vienna to London to LA in a week was a lot. Add rehearsals, shows, interviews, AND a mid-day Universal industry showcase to the mix and you've got a recipe for excitement with a high dose of anxiety. Now add setting up and shooting a video 3 days after returning to LA, intense contract negotiations, a new class starting with 40 students, AND ONE OF MY CHILDREN HAVING A MAJOR MELTDOWN...it's understandable why my body just shut down. I normally do well under pressure...dotting my i's and crossing my t's...and my business was handled through all of this..but now I'm being forced to take a much needed rest from everybody and everything!!!
No more running errands, zipping around LA with the kids, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, cleaning the house and yard, phone conversations or hangs with friends. Right now I can't do anything for or with anybody. All activity has come to a grinding halt. I've run through 3 boxes of Trader Joes organic teas, gallons of water and several boxes of tissue. My dear Sistah Haize made some homemade soup for me (now that I can eat) and Turner Classic Movies has kept me company. Can't really talk (throat still hurts and coughing doesn't help), so I'm writing instead. Giving thanks for the downtime and the quiet.
Got a lot to do in the next few weeks...preparing for my record release and the upcoming Nicola Conte tour dates. Getting my house in order, finding a caretaker for my dog Layla, learning and rehearsing new material, AND PACKING!!! I might add that I have only partially unpacked from this last trip, but I suppose that's a good thing. That and the weight loss that comes naturally from being sick.
I vow to take better care of myself. To say "yes" to that which creates harmony and peace...and "no" to the things that do not.. Gotta be consistent with my meditation and rituals...everything depends on it. It really is THAT simple!!
No more running errands, zipping around LA with the kids, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, cleaning the house and yard, phone conversations or hangs with friends. Right now I can't do anything for or with anybody. All activity has come to a grinding halt. I've run through 3 boxes of Trader Joes organic teas, gallons of water and several boxes of tissue. My dear Sistah Haize made some homemade soup for me (now that I can eat) and Turner Classic Movies has kept me company. Can't really talk (throat still hurts and coughing doesn't help), so I'm writing instead. Giving thanks for the downtime and the quiet.
Got a lot to do in the next few weeks...preparing for my record release and the upcoming Nicola Conte tour dates. Getting my house in order, finding a caretaker for my dog Layla, learning and rehearsing new material, AND PACKING!!! I might add that I have only partially unpacked from this last trip, but I suppose that's a good thing. That and the weight loss that comes naturally from being sick.
I vow to take better care of myself. To say "yes" to that which creates harmony and peace...and "no" to the things that do not.. Gotta be consistent with my meditation and rituals...everything depends on it. It really is THAT simple!!