This was my mantra a while back. Somewhere along the way, it has gotten lost. There are times in our lives that we can stop and savor every moment, minute, smile, smell, and hug. These times are often too few and far between in the hectic world that we all currently live in. At least I have felt that way lately.
I used to laugh at the analogy of the hamster on wheel, but lately I can very quickly and easily relate to that feeling!
Now, I don’t normally blog about my beliefs, religion, etc… but lately I have been lost, running a race that never ends, and sometimes stopping and remembering the foundations you were raised on can help to ground you. At least it works for me… so, bear with me on this post.
Recently I was asked to take part in a Bible Study at church. I have never been in a Bible Study and haven’t been in a faith-based class since college. I had no idea what this would be. Needless to say it is much more intense than I expected. As of today it includes 40 straight days of a prayer journal that includes assigned readings, activities, and reflection, along with prayer. Immediately I thought – “I don’t have time for this!!!!” Then I took a breath, and thought, “No, seriously – I don’t have time for this!!!!”
After that initial reaction, and a deeper breath, I had this feeling that it was a sign that I need to slow down. I need to take time – even a few moments here and there – to make sure that I am connected, REALLY connected to my life, my family, my kids. I have realized, over the first two weeks of this study, that while I have made a conscious effort to really spend time with the kids and to engage with them everyday – over a story, a snuggle, or a moment – that maybe, while my body and words were there, my brain was actually making a list of what needed to get done next. Now I am more wholly engaged – not just physically there, but every bit there in a way I might not have always been in the past. Over the last two weeks, I am stopping. I am breathing. And, yes, I am praying.
I am hopeful that this 40 day journey, which started bright and early this morning, will maybe help me to continue to become more connected during those brief moments and that I will learn more about my family, what truly matters to me, and how to better handle life and all of the craziness that it can exude.
Then again, I could be a miserable failure.
Only time will tell which one comes true…
And now back to your regularly scheduled web surfing…
