Relax. Live in the Moment.
My life whizzes by in increments that seem like decades instead of minutes. Moments slip right by without even a nod. I’m too busy, preoccupied, or focused to relax and live in the moment. And I hate it. I don’t like how I’ve become. Are you like me, missing life’s little joys, or do you have a sure fire way to enjoy your moments?
This Memorial Day, it was all I could do to simply sit and enjoy the sun, family, and rest. My mind ran through all the stuff needing to be done. Writing projects. Speaking preparation. And event planning. The pace threatened to consume my moments relaxing with family. Guilt ridden, I managed to keep away from the computer and work, but when I relaxed I was horribly sleepy.
I needed a “debriefing” after the previous two week run. Each day piled more stuff on the list, and left no time to accomplish anything I spent five days at the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference and came home with lots of requests and new friends needing follow up.
During a brief unload, wash, and reload of my suitcase, I watched my super-organized daughter destroy all that was sacred about my office space as she “moved my cheese” to another room.
I tried to be organized with the hotel information in Dallas/Ft. Worth where I was headed, but I couldn’t find the name, address, or metro area of the hotel in which I was supposed to sleep. (Many thanks to Twitter friends and husband’s work associates who helped me find my way.)
On the road again to Thelma Wells and the Ready to Win Conference, I spent three days with my dear friend Lou. We met more friends, experienced great worship, and yes, more stuff piled on. I can’t even see the top of the to do list any more.
When I got home, I put my suitcase into another car along my family’s luggage and off we went for Memorial Day at the lake with my mom and brother’s family. One would think I would want to relax, enjoy the moments with my little nephew and other family members. And I did, but I couldn’t turn my mind’s switch off and never fully engaged the moment.
Did I tell you I hate feeling this way?
Now, I’m back at home in my new space that still has my “old cheese smell” with stuff piled high on this to do list. I want to throw the list away and start over. Can I ignore all that stuff on the calendar, the sticky notes, the promises to deliver, and e-mail alarms?
What’s this? A jury summons! (sigh) Maybe they’ll arrest me for contempt of court or whatever for not showing up. Then I can rest.
What helps you relax and enjoy the moments of life? How do you deal with life’s stuff that piles up stealing from you that little something precious?
Oh, by the way, I was instructed to “Relax. Enjoy the moment” in the Colorado Rockies when this two week run started. A shoot ‘em straight kind of girl shared pointedly that I needed to live in the moments, enjoy the mountains. She’s a truth-filled friend, Suzie Eller. You might want to look her up.
Suzie’s counsel was profound, but I’m still trying to figure out the how. I need all the help I can get. Please send me your tips.
Climbing the ladder to glimpse the top of stuff to do. . .Back to sorting the priorities and work . . .
If you got a moment (yeah, I know), please pray for me to live in my moments.
May the blessings of moments be alive and real for us all.
Relaxing is taking a moment to survey where you are and to appreciate that moment. It will never be here again and sometimes we are so focused on the future and the what’if’s that we miss the beauty of what is.
See what I mean? Suzie is tops. Check out her speaking, and writing ministry. Don’t forget her blog. Smart gal. I should hang with her more. Some of the smarts might rub off on me.
Thanks, Suzie, for stopping by to share more wisdom.