It's Important to Keep Your Eyes Open
The year is closing out fast and Christmas has just ended. This month was just shy of marvelous with all the hot coco, the cheesy yet addictive Hallmark Christmas movies, and the endless gift wrapping. I am pretty certain I stayed in just about all 25 days leading to Christmas, cozy with my pjs soaking up the season and could not of been happier. Yes, there was still lots of work to be done each day till it was time to trade in the saw dust covered uniform for fuzzy slippers. But, when is there never not a lot of work to be done.
Now that Christmas is over, I can't shake this feeling a need for some time of deep reflection. It's not that I don't think I was present through out the holiday season, I think I just never gave myself much alone time. During any normal week or month I always end up needing some quiet time to myself. You know, that time when you realign your focus and remember your goals. It's the time when you get back on track and remember where you're going and what all you are bringing with you. It's the time to look at yourself in the mirror alone, without anyone standing next to you for comparing. (Whether by intention or not) It that time for quiet reading to remember the things that matter to you that may not neseccarly mean as much to everyone else.
It's the time when you get back on track and remember where you're going and what all you are bringing with you.
When we step away and just spend some quality time with ourselves, we get a chance to hear something. To hear our uninterrupted voice not being over shadowed by the noise of the day. The noise of the day is something I adore, but I can't neglect me. I can't neglect slowing so that I can hear the voice of the holy spirit speaking to me. I have to quiet myself, I have to be still. I have to take a step back to remember the characteristics of the heart that is inside me. It's when I am at full and I am nourished that I have an overflow to give to others. Its then that I can finish out this year giving the best of myself to those around me. It's then I find that I am finishing out this year with no regrets.
It's when I am at full and I am nourished that I have an overflow to give to others.
If you're at all like me, and I believe that most kind hearted people no matter how different have this in common to some degree- we want to be all things for all people. Maybe not all the time, but maybe it's the fault we fall prey to most often. Exhausting ourself for the righteous cause of being a selfless friend. It's honorable yes, but deadly too. We must care for ourselves and allow ourselves the chance to be still so we can grow. You actually end up doing an injustice to your friends and family when you don't get still long enough to have your own time because then they are not receiving raw, real you.
Exhausting ourself for the righteous cause of being a selfless friend. It's honorable yes, but deadly too.
I just read this blog from Ann, she is someone I love to follow and gain insight from. The way she writes is so poetic, it always causes me to slow when I want to race through reading. We can find excuses anywhere we look for lack of selfceare, lack of peace, not having control over our schedule, but consider what she says here.
“Finding some peace means you stop being the victim in your life and let the hard and holy ways of Christ give you victory over the hard things in your own life.”
Put it down. Whatever it is, lay it down for a little while. Let your eyes open and stay fixated on something for a change of pace. Away from the quick glances and sideways looks. Keep your eyes open so you do not miss this. So that you do not miss your heart. So that you do not miss what your body is telling you. So that you can breathe in that deep joy that lasts.