Are you running through life barely keeping up, just going through the motions and doing your best to get it all done? For most of us that is our life – keeping up a frantic pace so we can check off another ‘to-do’ or get through another meeting, attend another school function with our kids and on it goes. Often times we love to share that long list of things we have to do, places we need to be or how much we’ve accomplished and how difficult it all is as if we deserve some sort of prize for our crazy hectic life. We get caught up in the whining and complaining, others rush to join in and add their own list of injustices, and so it goes with many more conversations day in and day out. In reality an award or praise is really what we all crave. We want and we need recognition and appreciation and most of us do not even know it. We want a nice home, a decent car and a beautiful family, and we want others to notice and tell us how wonderful it all is. We live in constant fear that if we don’t keep up the pace we will lose it all and our identity along with it.

There will be times when you crash. You will lose. You will fail. You may just burn yourself out. Then what? Well, you get back up and get going again, but how about slowing it down a bit this next time and stop the whining while you’re at it. I learned this valuable lesson from my dad. A few years ago, I was working at a frantic pace, my family commitments were in high gear with my daughter in her senior year in high school, and my husband’s new business was just taking off. One evening I was talking with my mom on the phone while my dad listened in on the other line. I was going through the long list of things I had to do and places I had to be and the injustice of it all when my dad, who is a man of few words calmly said, “Don’t let your spinning wheels drive you crazy.” I was stunned. Immediately that old song Spinning Wheel, by Blood, Sweat & Tears popped into my head. I knew the song, but I didn’t really know what it meant – so of course I Googled it. As you read these lyrics below, ask yourself how the meaning of each verse applies to you and your life.

What goes up must come down
spinning wheel got to go round
Talking about your troubles it’s a crying sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the spinning wheel spin

You got no money, and you, you got no home
Spinning wheel all alone
Talking about your troubles and you, you never learn
Ride a painted pony
let the spinning wheel turn

Did you find a directing sign
on the straight and narrow highway?
Would you mind a reflecting sign
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you the colors that are real

Someone is waiting just for you
spinning wheel is spinning true
Drop all your troubles, by the river side
Catch a painted pony
On the spinning wheel ride

Someone is waiting just for you
spinning wheel is spinning true
Drop all your troubles, by the river side
Ride a painted pony
Let the spinning wheel fly

Blood, Sweat & Tears band member and vocalist David Clayton-Thomas, wrote Spinning Wheel. Clayton-Thomas was quoted as describing the song as being “written in an age when psychedelic imagery was all over lyrics…(i)t was my way of saying, ‘Don’t get too caught up, because everything comes full circle’.”

It goes to show you that life-changing events do not have to be huge. Your life or at least your current version of life can change with one simple statement or event. The statement “Don’t let your spinning wheels drive you crazy” from my dad and the lyrics from Spinning Wheel changed my outlook on life in so many ways. I now monitor myself and when I feel caught up in the spin cycle of life I step back and evaluate things. I take the time to reflect upon what is important and fits with my values. Mostly, I slow down and look for the direction signs that shake me and guide me through life. I know there are many precious and happy moments I let pass me by over the years because my focus was on all the busy work in front of me. I will never get that time back, but thankfully I learned my lesson and now I make a conscious effort to slow down, stay in the present and focus on what is real and valuable to me.

I have also learned to share all the good and positive of my day and leave the icky, gory details out of it. Negativity is reinforced by reliving it and what you focus on expands. You want to focus on the positive, happy details of your day and be grateful for them. Even if the happy moments are the smallest part of your day, remember them and celebrate them later in conversations. You will begin to notice more and more people will want to be around you because your positive attitude and happier disposition will draw them in. Like attracts like.

Take it easy on yourself and enjoy all the small moments in your life because they add up significantly. Focus on what makes you feel good and increases your overall happiness. Find the ‘Happiness Opportunities’ and celebrate them!

Please take a moment to listen to Spinning Wheel here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T97f2kBzOQ

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Your thoughts and comments are welcome. Thank you!