It is now 4:10pm on Sunday afternoon. Right now, I am typing on my laptop while watching Jimmie Johnson lead NASCAR’S Subway 500 in Martinsville, Virginia. I am wearing a grey sweatsuit and drinking an ice cold Budweiser. My lights are off and my stomach is full – thanks to a hearty lunch courtesy of Michelle, my neighbor and friend. What I am doing at this very moment is exactly what I have done since Friday night – and it is the most important thing I have done in a very long time – nothing.

These last few weeks have been very hectic for me. From real estate conventions to newspapers due to my usual heroics, I am lucky that I had time to go to the bathroom. So I decided that this weekend, I was going to take some “me time” – and do nothing but relax, rejuvenate – and revive.

There are many days lately where I have worked over twelve hours and not even stopped to eat. There are also days where I have worked a full workday – only to come home and lay out The Pulse until midnight. And while I love the jobs I have, even I deserve a day of rest and relaxation – which is what I gave myself this weekend.

While I certainly got some much needed rest these last two days, I also got to do some thinking about where my life is now and where I want it to go – and also – what my goals will be for the year ahead. When I am running around like a chicken without a head, I am lucky if I have time to think about what lies ahead for me that afternoon – much less next year. But when I am able to be alone with my thoughts without any distractions – my mind opens up and allows me to contemplate about my goals and desired accomplishments for 2005 – and plan on how I can attain them…

…amazing what can be achieved when you do absolutely nothing.

Everyone deserves some “me time.” All of us, at one point in our lives, are so stressed out, burned out, pissed off, or pissed on that we need to scream, “ENOUGH!” and take a time out. Whether it is the stress at work, at home, at play – or all of the above – each and every one of us reach a point where we need to disappear, de-stress – and de-tune.

This may sound stupid, but I am so proud of myself for actually taking this weekend off. Sure I did a few odds and ends yesterday and today, like cleaning my stove, scrubbing my tub and putting away my laundry, but most of these last two days were spent on the couch watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on DVD, lying in bed until almost noon both days – and sitting in front of my computer listening to music – three things I almost never get to do.

Tomorrow is Monday and now that I have had two days of necessary “R&R” – I am ready to do go to work and do what I love, which is go to my office at Fillmore and help do all I can to take the company to the next level. I love my job and look forward to going to work each day, but no matter the desire one has for their job – every “body” needs some down time to recharge before the next rat race.

Relaxing – what a concept.