Do we live thoughtfully or urgently?
A continuing burr under my saddle. Today someone sent me a document for review (via email) and wanted it back by the end of the day. I don’t have it scheduled as a “top of the list” item today — nor will I tomorrow. But because email is instantaneous and we have managed all of the thinking time out of our business process cycles…I will have to respond to this tonight.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like technology. I like knowing my daughter can call if she gets stranded or my sister’s can track me down if my mother gets sick…but I have had enough of the living urgently every second of the day. Email, text, cell, facebook, twitter, all good things.
But today I declare my freedom to think and ruminate, to consider and mull. I have to think that it will mean better things for everyone.
Stuck or Not
Today I am working on all of the things that have been ignored while immersed in a large project. They are not complicated things — nor new things. So why do I struggle so to move forward?
It is times like this I go to Phillipians 4:5-6 –”"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
And then, I remember to breathe.
The Problem of Organized
Being organized saves time.
I know that deep down in my soul.
It takes time to become organized.
Why do I value the time it takes to become organized
more than the time it costs to be disorganized?
Self help books don’t help.
They provide reasoning but don’t change the equation.
Kind of like the Big Mac vs Salad decision when driving to an appointment.
You know the right answer.
You choose the wrong answer.
Now I’m hungry and disorganized.
I need a break today.
I’ll Be With You When I Finish What I’m Finishing
Wife said that to me today.
Funny thing is, no matter what she does next it’s a true statement.
Is that why God seems so patient with us?
We keep promising to pay attention when we’re finished with what we’re finishing.
Lord knows, we simply have no idea of what it is we’re really trying to finish.
Nose In A Good Book
Love getting my nose into a good book. And Shakespeare is as good as any.
Of course I tend to drop off the same as Biscuit here did.
That’s OK. Sometimes a few good lines to lead your dreams and then a solid, comfortable nap is just what the day needed.
Grace isn’t always in action. Sometimes it’s in inaction.
Celebrating What Matters
The fireworks have faded, but the day brought a feeling of renewal.
What were we celebrating?
“The Pursuit Of Happiness.” What a phrase. What a calling. What a responsibility.
Happiness is not a right.
Pursuit of Happiness is a right.
A reminder of a lesson taught so often.
Others can provide food, comfort and support – but happiness comes from within.
It is as likely to be caught by sitting still as it is by running at full speed.
It is yours to pursue.
So pursue. Today. It’s your right, your responsibility.
Floods and Renewal
For months I had been planning to clear-out the basement. Too many books, papers, old toys, and sealed boxes never opened from the last time we moved.
Made things too cave-like. Needed room. Never got to it.
The floods have come. Spring rains (4″ or so) suddenly changed my clear-out to clean-up.
No more decisions about what to keep or toss. Simplicity itself.
Now the floor is clear and newly bleached. The walls are washed and the furniture ready to use.
What’s left is usable and findable and thus has increased in value.
Missing pieces won’t even be missed.
Disaster requires recovery and healing. Often recovery and healing contains its own blessing.
Enjoy the rain. More is on its way.
A Simple Rose
Isn’t it amazing how something so simple can be so awe-inspiring.
It reminds me that it is the small things that mean the most in our lives.
Forgiving Yourself For Missing Pieces
Fear of missing something. Clutters up our lives. Keeps piles of “ought too’s” in our way.
In the spirit of ‘starting again’ it’s time to clear cobwebs. I find myself looking at the Junk Drawer and worrying about needing the widget with no name. Paging through piles of interesting and should read. Papers, magazines, newsletters hint at knowledge to absorb. Email hidden by spam. Desktop photo covered in electronic files.
Time to create a few missing pieces. I can look for them elsewhere anyway.
So forgive me.
It’s a missing piece.
I have others to make up for it.
Flowers viewed.
Trails walked.
Evenings shared.
Plenty of pieces. So I had to make room.
Can I forgive?
Can I forget?
Can I let go?
With room to breath new pieces turn up, unused, unplaced,
but hints of grace.
Less is more, more or less.
Talks held.
Toes tapped.
Memories mapped.
Forgive yourself some pieces too and see what grace frees us to do.
Do you follow your dreams?
Someone asked the question:
“Do you follow your dreams?”
Now, it took me a minute to figure out how this was different from following my heart, but I eventually answered. Sadly, the answer is no. I don’t follow my dreams. More often than not I do what’s expected of me or, embarrassingly, what requires the least work/thought/effort. Not long after pondering this my husband shared a piece of advice he gave a client — if it is something you want you really need to spend time everyday on it.
When I came across this poem I knew I needed to listen to the powers-that-be. The book is Creative Awakenings: Envisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art
What in your life is calling you?
When all the noise is silenced,
the meetings adjourned,
the lists laid aside,
and the wild iris blooms by itself
in the dark forest,
what still pulls on your soul?In the silence between you heartbeats
hides a summons.
Do you hear it?
Name it, if you must,
or leave it forever nameless,
but why pretend it is not there?