Tuesday morning, I got to put that truth into practice. I had a ton of things to do - several with a morning deadline. I remembered what I'd heard again recently: we actually go faster, get more done, when we slow down.
It was tempting to rush through the morning: hurry and print out the letter, run it to the school, copy and distribute it to teachers' mailboxes all before my 9 am appointment. But then I heard those words:
"Slow down to go faster."
I stopped and took a deep breath. I made myself some breakfast, and ate it at the table (rather than in my car). I collected all the things I would need that morning -without running back and forth to gather the things I'd forgotten the first time.
Things actually got done. AND, I had a bit of time in the afternoon to prepare a little for Wednesday.
What a gift.
Showing posts with label busyness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label busyness. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Finding the Pause Button
I was texting a friend to arrange a breakfast get-together. We both commented on how BUSY our lives had become. "I need to find a 'pause' button," I said. Or perhaps a "Time-turner", like Hermione Granger's.
There is nothing like that, exactly. There is the great word "no", that I have actually used once or twice recently. "No, I cannot possibly think about one more thing right now...."
We have just finished selling basketball concessions this past week and Girl Scout cookie sales will be over next week. So, things are heading in the right direction.
Until then, I am cutting myself some slack, taking in some good deep breaths. My last yoga class will I'm sure have a restorative focus, and until the tasks are all complete, I am praying that God "redeem the time".
Help me to use it wisely. It is precious.
There is nothing like that, exactly. There is the great word "no", that I have actually used once or twice recently. "No, I cannot possibly think about one more thing right now...."
We have just finished selling basketball concessions this past week and Girl Scout cookie sales will be over next week. So, things are heading in the right direction.
Until then, I am cutting myself some slack, taking in some good deep breaths. My last yoga class will I'm sure have a restorative focus, and until the tasks are all complete, I am praying that God "redeem the time".
Help me to use it wisely. It is precious.
Friday, October 9, 2009
How Great Thou Art
"Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee....
How great Thou art, How great Thou art."
It is the song that comes to mind most often, these days. In the midst of "life abundantly", when all I can do is what is before me. I take a breath, and step forward into the next task, clinging tightly to Philippians 4:13.
While I am very, very grateful, I am also aware that until a few tasks are completed, I am at capacity. Seriously. I'm maxed! Fortunately, the big, and the extra tasks that are at hand are nearly completed!
Fall break, and the change in routine are welcomed, as are the weeks of vacation that follow. Who knew, months ago, when I filled out my schedule, that I would be ready for a period of rest exactly where they fall.... Oh yeah.... He did.
"How great Thou art...."
How great Thou art, How great Thou art."
It is the song that comes to mind most often, these days. In the midst of "life abundantly", when all I can do is what is before me. I take a breath, and step forward into the next task, clinging tightly to Philippians 4:13.
While I am very, very grateful, I am also aware that until a few tasks are completed, I am at capacity. Seriously. I'm maxed! Fortunately, the big, and the extra tasks that are at hand are nearly completed!
Fall break, and the change in routine are welcomed, as are the weeks of vacation that follow. Who knew, months ago, when I filled out my schedule, that I would be ready for a period of rest exactly where they fall.... Oh yeah.... He did.
"How great Thou art...."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Burdened Under Satan's Yoke
It's a topic that has been popping up in my life - repeatedly - for the past few days. A song at church on Sunday, the pastor's reminder that sleep is a gift, a friend's Facebook status and my immediate reply, one glance at my calendar and, finally, a sentence in a new bible study book. OK, OK, ....I'll listen! OK, OK.....I'll write!
Busy. B.U.S.Y. Burdened Under Satan's Yoke. Yes, I get it. I can relate to having "too many irons in the fire". I get the overfilled schedule. I know the carpool and mom's taxi. I've attempted (with some success) decluttering the schedule in the past. Yet, life is what it is. It has it's seasons, some of which are more filled than others. But "stuff" likes to find it's way back in.
There is no doubt in my mind that "God is always at work". There is no doubt in my mind that his words in the Psalms which remind us to "Be still and know that I am God" are there for a reason. The world will try to distract us from our focus, our purpose. But, we are not of this world.... just living in it. But how can we hear and act if we are not watching and waiting for direction?
As I was interpreting during band rehearsal, I was playing with the verse a little. The word "know", means what exactly....? I looked it up, and there are several definitions that match the signs that came forth. My favorite being: "Have firsthand knowledge of states, situations, emotions or sensations" - or, my sign: "experience". I have witnessed God moving powerfully in my life... most clearly, when I was broken enough that all I could do was "be still".
In looking up the "official" definition, I am reminded of a few other meanings that I hadn't thought of that morning. Reading them together, I am reminded of the story of the Shepherd who calls to His sheep, and they know his voice. He is familiar, known to us. We know His character and can differentiate between His voice and others who would lead astray.
And - we KNOW, and believe without a doubt that He is God. It's so much more than having knowledge of a mere fact.
But, how do I get there? How do I KNOW Him? Hear and recognize his voice above all others? Stillness. Taking time to nurture that relationship. He and I. Him and me. "Be still and know...."
Honestly, I wish sometimes it said "do these 14 things before lunch and another dozen after..." It would be easier living in this world to do so... But no, it doesn't. It says "Be still...."
Honestly, sometimes, I multi-task it. I talk with God as a I walk the dog. I listen to worship music as I drive. I try to include gratitude and service into every day.
As I completed the first day of my new Bible study, I was reminded that "the very busyness of life" is not unique to these days. The author refers us to Acts 6:1-4, and asks what the disciples did when they became overwhelmed with the tasks of daily life and the pressures of ministry.
"Stop and reflect on what was important". They also had the gift of delegation! Not only was it OK for them to say "no" to the task being asked of them, it was important that they didn't. They needed to focus on preaching and praying. They did empower others to do the daily work, which if you ask me, was a gift to them..... service always comes with unexpected rewards!
I've gotten better at not accepting every invitation that comes my way. Yet, I intend to look again at the events of the day, and where my time and energies are focused.
I have two main purposes every day: raising my kids and walking where He leads. To do both of those effectively, I need to remember Psalm 46:10. I need to make time - dedicated time - to be still. So I can know, feel, hear, experience and be in the undistracted, undeniable presence of God.
I want the yoke that is light.... not the one that keeps me burdened.
(that and another hour of sleep... SWEET!)
Busy. B.U.S.Y. Burdened Under Satan's Yoke. Yes, I get it. I can relate to having "too many irons in the fire". I get the overfilled schedule. I know the carpool and mom's taxi. I've attempted (with some success) decluttering the schedule in the past. Yet, life is what it is. It has it's seasons, some of which are more filled than others. But "stuff" likes to find it's way back in.
There is no doubt in my mind that "God is always at work". There is no doubt in my mind that his words in the Psalms which remind us to "Be still and know that I am God" are there for a reason. The world will try to distract us from our focus, our purpose. But, we are not of this world.... just living in it. But how can we hear and act if we are not watching and waiting for direction?
As I was interpreting during band rehearsal, I was playing with the verse a little. The word "know", means what exactly....? I looked it up, and there are several definitions that match the signs that came forth. My favorite being: "Have firsthand knowledge of states, situations, emotions or sensations" - or, my sign: "experience". I have witnessed God moving powerfully in my life... most clearly, when I was broken enough that all I could do was "be still".
In looking up the "official" definition, I am reminded of a few other meanings that I hadn't thought of that morning. Reading them together, I am reminded of the story of the Shepherd who calls to His sheep, and they know his voice. He is familiar, known to us. We know His character and can differentiate between His voice and others who would lead astray.
And - we KNOW, and believe without a doubt that He is God. It's so much more than having knowledge of a mere fact.
But, how do I get there? How do I KNOW Him? Hear and recognize his voice above all others? Stillness. Taking time to nurture that relationship. He and I. Him and me. "Be still and know...."
Honestly, I wish sometimes it said "do these 14 things before lunch and another dozen after..." It would be easier living in this world to do so... But no, it doesn't. It says "Be still...."
Honestly, sometimes, I multi-task it. I talk with God as a I walk the dog. I listen to worship music as I drive. I try to include gratitude and service into every day.
As I completed the first day of my new Bible study, I was reminded that "the very busyness of life" is not unique to these days. The author refers us to Acts 6:1-4, and asks what the disciples did when they became overwhelmed with the tasks of daily life and the pressures of ministry.
"Stop and reflect on what was important". They also had the gift of delegation! Not only was it OK for them to say "no" to the task being asked of them, it was important that they didn't. They needed to focus on preaching and praying. They did empower others to do the daily work, which if you ask me, was a gift to them..... service always comes with unexpected rewards!
I've gotten better at not accepting every invitation that comes my way. Yet, I intend to look again at the events of the day, and where my time and energies are focused.
I have two main purposes every day: raising my kids and walking where He leads. To do both of those effectively, I need to remember Psalm 46:10. I need to make time - dedicated time - to be still. So I can know, feel, hear, experience and be in the undistracted, undeniable presence of God.
I want the yoke that is light.... not the one that keeps me burdened.
(that and another hour of sleep... SWEET!)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Hectic Joy
I am amazed at how quickly this first full week of summer has filled up: birthday party, graduation party, Daisy Girl Scout event - on top of the usually scheduled events, primarily gymnastics, yoga and karate. Yet, as I sat on the deck letting the dog run free in the back yard, I recalled much joy in the day.
It hadn't started that way.... it had been a morning of struggles: Getting the kids bathed, the dog walked, and into the car for our first session in "The Adventure Gym". Both kids were really excited about it - the boy, for sure, and the girl hoping with all her might that she'd be able to participate as well...
We will be heading there weekly for my son's Occupational Therapy to treat his newly diagnosed sensory problems. I sat and laughed til I cried at some of the "games" he got to play. Flying through the air like superman, climbing rope ladders, shooting hoops, zip lines. It is amazing to me to see how the therapist can package his tasks into little gifts that he can't get enough of!
From there, we went to pick up his karate belt at his dad's, a quick ice cream treat, then back to the house for an hour or so before karate. See, he really needed his belt because it was stripe testing: and he earned his second stripe!!
So, there I sat, watching the dog play, with the wonderful summer breeze in my hair, recapping the day. As I said my prayers, one thing kept coming to mind: the ear to ear grins on our faces and the sound of laughter in my ears.
It was a long, hectic day - but it was filled with much joy. The sound of my children's laughter is what I will remember....
It hadn't started that way.... it had been a morning of struggles: Getting the kids bathed, the dog walked, and into the car for our first session in "The Adventure Gym". Both kids were really excited about it - the boy, for sure, and the girl hoping with all her might that she'd be able to participate as well...
We will be heading there weekly for my son's Occupational Therapy to treat his newly diagnosed sensory problems. I sat and laughed til I cried at some of the "games" he got to play. Flying through the air like superman, climbing rope ladders, shooting hoops, zip lines. It is amazing to me to see how the therapist can package his tasks into little gifts that he can't get enough of!
From there, we went to pick up his karate belt at his dad's, a quick ice cream treat, then back to the house for an hour or so before karate. See, he really needed his belt because it was stripe testing: and he earned his second stripe!!
So, there I sat, watching the dog play, with the wonderful summer breeze in my hair, recapping the day. As I said my prayers, one thing kept coming to mind: the ear to ear grins on our faces and the sound of laughter in my ears.
It was a long, hectic day - but it was filled with much joy. The sound of my children's laughter is what I will remember....
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Next Right Thing
I'm noticing that May and December are about equally busy. The end of the school year bustle is WELL underway. Actually, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! There is hope! For my kids, their school year will end a day early. (TODAY!)
Sometimes I wonder how we get through it. If I look at all the things that need doing, I get overwhelmed, almost to the point of being paralyzed, sometimes.
That happened to me years ago, before a gathering of (at that time) un-met friends. Well, we knew each other (via the internet), we'd just never met face to face. But when an invitation for a gathering was sent out (by me), and people began replying affirmatively, I realized HOW MUCH I had to do to prepare for their arrival.
I froze. All I could do is sit there in my house. I had NO IDEA where to start. Finally, someone said, "Just pick one thing and start there." It was the best advice ever!
These days, it's how I like to handle my tasks. Some are prioritized by external deadlines, some by internal. Some are recurring - but the ones I like to tackle most are the ones that once they are crossed off, they are CROSSED OFF. Done.
Some days, there isn't enough time to complete one of *those* jobs. Sometimes, it feels like I am being surrounded by recurrent jobs, and that there will be no time to complete those, never mind the *other* things I have to do.
But when I start to freeze - or walk aimlessly back and forth - I stop and remind myself to breathe, and pick ONE THING - one five minute job - complete that. Then, I can move forward with the NEXT right thing.
Sometimes I wonder how we get through it. If I look at all the things that need doing, I get overwhelmed, almost to the point of being paralyzed, sometimes.
That happened to me years ago, before a gathering of (at that time) un-met friends. Well, we knew each other (via the internet), we'd just never met face to face. But when an invitation for a gathering was sent out (by me), and people began replying affirmatively, I realized HOW MUCH I had to do to prepare for their arrival.
I froze. All I could do is sit there in my house. I had NO IDEA where to start. Finally, someone said, "Just pick one thing and start there." It was the best advice ever!
These days, it's how I like to handle my tasks. Some are prioritized by external deadlines, some by internal. Some are recurring - but the ones I like to tackle most are the ones that once they are crossed off, they are CROSSED OFF. Done.
Some days, there isn't enough time to complete one of *those* jobs. Sometimes, it feels like I am being surrounded by recurrent jobs, and that there will be no time to complete those, never mind the *other* things I have to do.
But when I start to freeze - or walk aimlessly back and forth - I stop and remind myself to breathe, and pick ONE THING - one five minute job - complete that. Then, I can move forward with the NEXT right thing.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
How Did I Get So B.U.S.Y?
I went to the Christian bookstore yesterday to get a birthday present for a friend's daughter. While I was there, I found a copy of the book "How Did I Get So Busy?" OH YEAH! I can relate. I grabbed it off the shelf, and tucked it under my arm. It was one of those things that reminded me of a guy I knew in college. He say "If you have to ask, you can't afford it". Didn't matter what this cost, it was coming home with me!
It's subtitle grabbed me and wouldn't let me go: "The 28-day plan to free your time, reclaim your schedule, and reconnect with what matters most". Sign me up. I'm there!
Flipping through it, it looks like a book I'll like - a few pages to read (every day for 28 days), checklists, 5 minute journal question and a minute meditation. I can do that.
I've already got the mental checklist of things that need to go - from my house to the church for the yard sale, from my house to others in the community, and from my schedule. (Ironically, mostly what I need is some time to sort through the rest of the "stuff" to get to the things that matter!)
During the few brief days when the weather was warm, I remembered once having the ability to just SIT out on the deck in the morning, the evening, or mid afternoon; doing nothing but watching the starts or the birds or the kids. I don't know that I would be able to do that today. I know that I need to be able to do that.
So, that must change. Losing my self and those things that are truly important to me and to my life to the business of a schedule or to do list, is not worth it! No way. Can't happen! They don't call it "Burdened Under Satan's Yoke" for nothing!
"Coincidentally".... the only thing on the calendar for today is "heartworm pill" (for the dog, people!) YES!
Thank You God!
It's subtitle grabbed me and wouldn't let me go: "The 28-day plan to free your time, reclaim your schedule, and reconnect with what matters most". Sign me up. I'm there!
Flipping through it, it looks like a book I'll like - a few pages to read (every day for 28 days), checklists, 5 minute journal question and a minute meditation. I can do that.
I've already got the mental checklist of things that need to go - from my house to the church for the yard sale, from my house to others in the community, and from my schedule. (Ironically, mostly what I need is some time to sort through the rest of the "stuff" to get to the things that matter!)
During the few brief days when the weather was warm, I remembered once having the ability to just SIT out on the deck in the morning, the evening, or mid afternoon; doing nothing but watching the starts or the birds or the kids. I don't know that I would be able to do that today. I know that I need to be able to do that.
So, that must change. Losing my self and those things that are truly important to me and to my life to the business of a schedule or to do list, is not worth it! No way. Can't happen! They don't call it "Burdened Under Satan's Yoke" for nothing!
"Coincidentally".... the only thing on the calendar for today is "heartworm pill" (for the dog, people!) YES!
Thank You God!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Living Deadline to Deadline
There is something a little disconcerting about living paycheck to paycheck, or deadline to deadline. I am one who considers myself a "planner". People say I'm "organized", and multi-task well. Generally, I'd agree with them, but the past six months or so, I feel like I've been living deadline to deadline. Things are getting done, but just under the wire.
I like to start a project when I get it. I like to have a time line in place - it doesn't have to be in stone (any more), but I like to have it established at least generally speaking. And I like to have time scheduled for the unexpected.
And that is where I struggle with the "deadline to deadline" living. It's the same as paycheck to paycheck living. As soon as I feel I'm getting caught up, something else shows up requiring my time or money.
I spent my Saturday night doing the finishing touches of consignment sale tagging. I finished well after bedtime - and certainly after "winding down" time. But, I think... I truly think... that's it for a while.
I'd have to check the calendar to be sure, but I think the next "deadline" I have is my Aunt's birthday in 10 days. I just need to shop for a gift and a card, and send it on it's way. Oh yeah, and renew my massage therapy certification. Piece of cake.
I will take a day (or two) to rest, and be still, spend some time on my bible study, hang out with my kids - maybe even take a nap! By then, spring should have sprung and there will be a great adventure in the backyard!!
Thank You for meeting me in the details, for finding those "last five minutes" that I need sometimes - even when they don't seem to exist.
I look forward to my quiet time with You. Help me to be still...
I like to start a project when I get it. I like to have a time line in place - it doesn't have to be in stone (any more), but I like to have it established at least generally speaking. And I like to have time scheduled for the unexpected.
And that is where I struggle with the "deadline to deadline" living. It's the same as paycheck to paycheck living. As soon as I feel I'm getting caught up, something else shows up requiring my time or money.
I spent my Saturday night doing the finishing touches of consignment sale tagging. I finished well after bedtime - and certainly after "winding down" time. But, I think... I truly think... that's it for a while.
I'd have to check the calendar to be sure, but I think the next "deadline" I have is my Aunt's birthday in 10 days. I just need to shop for a gift and a card, and send it on it's way. Oh yeah, and renew my massage therapy certification. Piece of cake.
I will take a day (or two) to rest, and be still, spend some time on my bible study, hang out with my kids - maybe even take a nap! By then, spring should have sprung and there will be a great adventure in the backyard!!
Thank You for meeting me in the details, for finding those "last five minutes" that I need sometimes - even when they don't seem to exist.
I look forward to my quiet time with You. Help me to be still...
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