Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Summertime is a set aside part of the year where we pack our schedules so incredibly full, we are burning the candle at both ends. We are constantly on the go, and because of Daylight Saving Time, the nights do not come as quickly, so we try packing “just ONE more thing in” before going to bed. Maybe we are working 40+ hours a week as well as packing everything else in… Is this happening in any other household besides mine?! 🙁 It is exhausting isn’t it?
I need to listen to the wisdom in this quote by Geneen Roth!! 🙂 Today, I have been unproductive, but also slightly productive with a few things crossed off the list. It’s ok. Tomorrow is another day. After working an insane amount of hours the last two weeks, I told myself it is ok to do NOTHING! 🙂 But I find my brain not listening to myself very well….. I try to “practice what I teach” to you, but I fail often. I also need accountability! I appreciate it when someone reaches out and sends me a quick note. I try to do the same for them and others. We each need an encourager – someone who notices when we are pushing our limits and not taking time for ourself and our own needs. Maybe I need to reread the Loving Yourself post… maybe you do?
Summertime can also be a time where we get some more movement physically. The sunshine and fresh air outside is much better than running on a treadmill in a gym. But I certainly understand the heat and humidity… Today it is in the 90’s and really humid. But physical exercise can come in many different ways- mowing the lawn with a push mower ( or just a good portion of it by walking if your lawn is large), playing a game of tag or ball with your children or grandchildren, taking a leisure walk in the park or dancing in the rain (be a kid again and go stomp in the mud puddles!! 😀 ). There are many other ways – go to the mall with a friend and do a couple laps around the mall while you catch up face-to-face instead of on social media. Spend the day with your grandchildren and I guarantee you will get some exercise!! 😀 Blow bubbles with them (or just by yourself) for some good lung exercises and deep breathing!
Then at night, when it cools down a little, sit in a lawn chair and look at the sky. Can you find the Big Dipper? Little Dipper? Jupiter? 🙂 Listen to the birds as they sing of the goodness of our Creator. It is recorded 4 times in Scripture- “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” – Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31). Learn to relax (I’m talking to myself!!) and just BE. God created us as human BEings, but so often we are human DOings and not taking the time to just BE. Be unproductive. Rest in a hammock or on the couch and take an afternoon siesta. 😀 It’s ok. Your body has been trying to tell you, but your brain doesn’t want to listen as you keep doing and going thither and yon! Sigh… Can anyone else relate? 🙂
Relaxing beside a cool, bubbling river sounds inviting to me!
Until next week, remember to love on yourself and allow some “down time”. Learn to just BE… and maybe, just maybe in the soft stillness, you will hear from God an answer to the prayer you were needing.
~Coach Shannon
