Southern comfort

Lina & Victoria, Chocolate Milk -- Kids Today, 6/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

With each hit of the pavement, my legs feel weaker. Every gasp for air feels like fire racing down my dry throat. My chest aches and my arms feel as if weights are dragging them toward the ground. As I look ahead for any sign of the end, I see a sign: 7 miles completed, 13 miles to go. I look over at Victoria and wonder, God, are we ever really going to make it, and all of a sudden...bam!!! It's summer in Miami.

We don't know about every where else in the country but, when summer hits South Florida, every thing seems to come to a screeching halt. All of a sudden everything and everyone slips right into "Southern Comfort" mode.

It's hot, it's slow and it's a little steamy. The Snowbirds are gone. The kids are out of school and parents are finding ways to entertain them during most of the day so they no longer have a free moment to pop into the store, even if it's just to say hi and pick up a few things.

We know when we worked for someone else, subconsciously we were sort of glad for the sudden slow down in pace. It gave us a chance to catch up or sneak out for a few rounds of golf. We could probably walk into the boss's office on a Friday afternoon and say "Hey, I am thinking about taking off early today."

However, since working for our selves, I, more so than Victoria, tend to freak out a bit when things get a tad too slow. Vendors are shipping; rent is due. I quickly forget all the spiritual training I spent years collecting specifically for moments like this. Gone are the breathing techniques I recently learned on my meditation tapes. I am a pacer; I get all wound up, caught up in the moment.

I look at Victoria again to see if I am the only one starting to lose it...yep, I am.

Finally, I get it; there really is no other option other than to chill out, calm down and follow what seems to be Victoria's very calm lead. For those of you who know a little about astrology, Victoria is a Libra to the core. If you are fortunate enough to have a Libra as a partner, business associate, parent, sibling or friend, watch closely as they go through the eye of a storm. They're calm, poised and collected and step up to the challenge.

I am a Gemini. I know I know; I am a bit of a nut job. It takes me a minute to calm down, so I decided it was time I got some help and I didn't even have to go see a life coach.

This isn't to say you should leave your store or your business a shrine to a load of half completed tasks; that would create a stress of its own. Just be sure to enjoy the process of whatever job you are doing and if it truly is grueling, invent your own finish lines to alter your perspective.

In the meantime, I started decompressing by taking some time to breathe, like going to the beach at 6:00 p.m. and looking at the sunset kind of breathing; walking; watching light-hearted movies; creating art; keeping a journal; choosing the high road; practicing to be grateful for what I have right now, today, and remembering who and what is important.

We also added a massage or two; some good wine and found some great relaxing baths to take. Here's a great recipe we found:

The Winding Down Herbal Bath:

This bath herb blend is perfect for relaxing at the end of a long day. The valerian contributes to a nice, sleepy, calming effect.

1 part dried hops

1 part dried chamomile flowers

1 part dried lavender buds

1/4 part dried valerian root lavender essential oil (optional)

Combine all herbs and add 1 drop lavender essential oil for each 3/4 ounce of total herbs used. Put into a glass container with a lid, gently shake to blend. Let the jar sit for at least a week to allow the herbs to marinate. Use 3/4 ounce of the herb mixture per bath. The herbs can be tied up in a muslin tea bag — drop into the tub while it's filling with hot water.

Now with each hit of the pavement, my legs feel a bit stronger. All of a sudden I straighten out a bit, my throat seems to have found its moisture and I smile and feel like I could slap a high five or two. Life is ever changing and most situations are temporary. When you find yourself out of sync, be still, stay calm and run to your own beat—but keep running.

Until next month,