Day 5 of Christmas, and 'tis the season to be jolly, and to shop, and to cook, and to create cards, and to make cookies, and to see lights, and to anticipate forgotten gifts, and to attend festive parties, and to survive the mall, and to take naps, and to spend time with family, and to wear layers, and to spend more time with family, and to forgetfully miss that one appointment, and to be dizzy with details, and to feel overwhelmed and out of control, and to try and regain control, and to melt down, and to sometimes cry or maybe yell. Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Feeling festive? Feeling joyous? Feeling tired? Feeling overwhelmed? Feeling crowded? ...Yes.
I'm trying something new today and I'm typing on this post throughout the day...to see if it is possible to remain PRESENT. I'm blessed to do life with Godly women, who I can really share emotion with, and recenter myself. Last night was that night. Day 5, and I share the joy of being present.
....
I admit that I am on autopilot right now and working to survive the holiday craze. Then it smacked me in the face yesterday, while day dreaming of my happy places (Day 4), that I need to spend just a little time being present in my world. Slowing down to really appreciate the alarm, and the reality that I've been gifted another day, and that my eyes can see the glaringly red numbers, that my ears can hear that horrible buzz teasing me to leave the warm covers, that my feet can feel the cold tile in the bathroom.
Its ok if my Christmas cards are late. Its ok if my gift shopping is incomplete.
.....
I'm grateful for the chaos that comes with a job; the energy everyone shares in striving to do their best and keep customers happy, while balancing families, pets, and tasks; the teamwork that take place when everyone goes above and beyond in anticipation of the holiday and end of year close.
Its ok if my grocery list is put together later. I have time to focus.
....
It is lunch time now. Lee and I completed a Christmas errand then picked up lunch to eat at our desks. The weather outside is really beautiful and I'm glad we had time to spend together, and that we completed another item on the lists which wants to sneak up and scream at me.
hum... I'll stop writing on this post now. I think my joy of presence is more about the joy of giving thanks for the things that I choose to let stir me up.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Day 4 - Rest up!
Day 4 of Christmas! Wow, Christmas will soon be here, and my first thought is 'how am I going to get everything done in time?', and I suspect many of you are in the same place. It isn't as if the season of giving just snuck up on me. I'm pretty sure Christmas was scheduled at the same time last year...not like Thanksgiving that can flutter about.
Its days like today when I have to choose to slow myself down and reset priorities. One of my 'happy places' today, is thinking about the tall pasture grass as a kid, and how we would wade through this field with our hoodies zipped up trying to avoid ticks and bugs in our hair, and pretend to make trails or paths to find each other. Not a corn field, only a hay field, so we could actually stand up and see each other just fine. The pasture was perfect for kids to play in, before the hay bailing started. I picture my sisters and I running around after nothing, but just having fun playing in the sunshine.
Another peaceful place in my mind, is in the mountains. We make an annual trip to Colorado, and one house we rented in particular had a pond off the back porch. I'm an early riser, so I would sit out on the porch with my coffee and just admire how still the water rested. It was so still, the amazing mountain peak was simply mirrored off the glass surface. A dragonfly might whiz by and break the surface of glass, snapping me back to reality. There is always a chill in the air, but the sun shines beautiful, offering just enough warmth which doesn't offset the coffee. Later the ducks would come on by too, but thats because they wanted more Cheetos from our dinner plates.
These are my happy places today, and I cling to them as I crave the speed of 'slow'. I've learned I am my own worst enemy when it comes to slowing down and resting. I love, love, love being busy and interacting with people, but also respect that I must slow down and rest. If you cant do this for yourself, your body will do it for you.
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the joy of REST! "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside still waters" (Ps 23:2) I celebrate rest and the beauty of slowing down amid the busy season. ...and it's ok to do so.
Its days like today when I have to choose to slow myself down and reset priorities. One of my 'happy places' today, is thinking about the tall pasture grass as a kid, and how we would wade through this field with our hoodies zipped up trying to avoid ticks and bugs in our hair, and pretend to make trails or paths to find each other. Not a corn field, only a hay field, so we could actually stand up and see each other just fine. The pasture was perfect for kids to play in, before the hay bailing started. I picture my sisters and I running around after nothing, but just having fun playing in the sunshine.
Another peaceful place in my mind, is in the mountains. We make an annual trip to Colorado, and one house we rented in particular had a pond off the back porch. I'm an early riser, so I would sit out on the porch with my coffee and just admire how still the water rested. It was so still, the amazing mountain peak was simply mirrored off the glass surface. A dragonfly might whiz by and break the surface of glass, snapping me back to reality. There is always a chill in the air, but the sun shines beautiful, offering just enough warmth which doesn't offset the coffee. Later the ducks would come on by too, but thats because they wanted more Cheetos from our dinner plates.
These are my happy places today, and I cling to them as I crave the speed of 'slow'. I've learned I am my own worst enemy when it comes to slowing down and resting. I love, love, love being busy and interacting with people, but also respect that I must slow down and rest. If you cant do this for yourself, your body will do it for you.
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the joy of REST! "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside still waters" (Ps 23:2) I celebrate rest and the beauty of slowing down amid the busy season. ...and it's ok to do so.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Reunited and it feels so goooood
On the 3rd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, reunion time with my dear friends!
Like many, I'd rather be on the couch at home, in place of mixing it up during the holiday season. I am NOT a hug fan of shopping in a crowded place, holiday or not. I don't care to stay up much past 10 pm any more, and yes, I do enjoy the Early Bird Specials. No, I don't yet have a Senior Discount card...but I'm waiting by the mailbox.
Of course all of the above is only true until I start moving. When I relax and appreciate the gift giving focus of many shoppers, the beauty of the city in the late night hours, the variety in foods served after the actually sets, its at that moment, when I remove myself from the comfort zone of said couch, I have such a great time. This may be evidenced by a few public pictures from this season.
It always catches me off guard, that when I'm able to get out of my own way, things are simply that much more beautiful. Life outside the bubble!! Last night we enjoyed an annual outing with our friends, and for many friends it was time for reunion. We each become so harried in our 'real lives', that we cling to events in order to slow down. Oxymoron? We often go to events, in order to slow down and reconnect with one another.
What if we strive to connect with one another, amid the chaos? What if that quality time was actually part of the routine? What if we gave ourselves permission to slow down 1 day a month to really connect with another person, or a handful of people? What if...we enjoyed 'reunion' every day?
On the 3rd day of Christmas, I share the joy of reunion with YOU. If we haven't connected recently...maybe we should? ...maybe we should!
Like many, I'd rather be on the couch at home, in place of mixing it up during the holiday season. I am NOT a hug fan of shopping in a crowded place, holiday or not. I don't care to stay up much past 10 pm any more, and yes, I do enjoy the Early Bird Specials. No, I don't yet have a Senior Discount card...but I'm waiting by the mailbox.
Of course all of the above is only true until I start moving. When I relax and appreciate the gift giving focus of many shoppers, the beauty of the city in the late night hours, the variety in foods served after the actually sets, its at that moment, when I remove myself from the comfort zone of said couch, I have such a great time. This may be evidenced by a few public pictures from this season.
It always catches me off guard, that when I'm able to get out of my own way, things are simply that much more beautiful. Life outside the bubble!! Last night we enjoyed an annual outing with our friends, and for many friends it was time for reunion. We each become so harried in our 'real lives', that we cling to events in order to slow down. Oxymoron? We often go to events, in order to slow down and reconnect with one another.
What if we strive to connect with one another, amid the chaos? What if that quality time was actually part of the routine? What if we gave ourselves permission to slow down 1 day a month to really connect with another person, or a handful of people? What if...we enjoyed 'reunion' every day?
On the 3rd day of Christmas, I share the joy of reunion with YOU. If we haven't connected recently...maybe we should? ...maybe we should!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
12 days of Christmas: Day 2 (!) (?) (.) (#2) (...)
Day 2 of Christmas, and I'm excited! When was the last time you really felt that eager excitement in your chest; in your belly; under your arms? We all sweat..you know what I mean. That excitement that you have and just cant wait to wrap up the chore your working on, so you can rejoin that reason for the 'butterflies' in your belly. That jitter you feel just before meeting a new love, before running a race you've trained for, or before closing one chapter to begin anew. The nervous little flutter that makes you feel like your 12 years old!
I've decided for the 12 days of Christmas, that I want to share different joys or emotions I feel. We give thanks in November, and in December, we celebrate! Day 1, we Rejoiced about health and in the deep thought of 'joice'. If we REjoice, when do we first JOICE? Seriously, this requires me to sit down and really connect with the cosmos....and I LOVE those moments.
Today, Day 2 of Christmas, I'm excited over punctuation! I knoooow!! What kinda crazy is in her coffee. YES! PUNCTUATION! I am no good with punctuation, and even need to type slowly and pray for spell check to kick in, when I use this word in a sentence. Recently, however, I'm clinging to the use of punctuation in the Bible. "The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E." CRAY-zeeee.... hang on, hang on... stay with me.
I know some of you just went big eye'd on me and shutter to finish reading my ramble. I'm not throwing a book at you, so don't duck and run. For those who know the 23 Psalm, recite the first versus (sans punctuation): The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want ..NOW...where and how do you see/feel/remember the punctuation?
Dont cheat and look yet, but feeeeeel the words:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
The Lord is my shepherd? I shall not want?
The Lord is my shepherd! I shall not want?
The Lord is my shepherd I, shall not want;
Ok, the answer will vary depending on which version of the book you read, however, the majority of the versions print these words with a clear break in the thought, either with a semi-colon (;) or a sentence ending period (.) or exclamation point (!). [so what, Rachel?]
My money says that most of you read that sentence like you were still a child and had to memorize the verse for Sunday School class. Rambling all those words together. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Change your punctuation and emphasize those words differently. The Lord is my shepherd; (stop). Soak that in. It is written as a fact. The first part of the sentence is a statement of fact. Now, I shall not want. (new thought). I-shall-not-want. Declarative in tone! Soak it up...
I can go on and on, because I'm fascinated by the punctuation right now.
[Stop the bus]
Stop! the bus! (dont get hit!)
Stop the bus. (hop to it Superman)
Yes, my own use of punctuation is weak, but I'm excited to better punctuate my life!
How do you punctuate yours?
I've decided for the 12 days of Christmas, that I want to share different joys or emotions I feel. We give thanks in November, and in December, we celebrate! Day 1, we Rejoiced about health and in the deep thought of 'joice'. If we REjoice, when do we first JOICE? Seriously, this requires me to sit down and really connect with the cosmos....and I LOVE those moments.
Today, Day 2 of Christmas, I'm excited over punctuation! I knoooow!! What kinda crazy is in her coffee. YES! PUNCTUATION! I am no good with punctuation, and even need to type slowly and pray for spell check to kick in, when I use this word in a sentence. Recently, however, I'm clinging to the use of punctuation in the Bible. "The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E." CRAY-zeeee.... hang on, hang on... stay with me.
I know some of you just went big eye'd on me and shutter to finish reading my ramble. I'm not throwing a book at you, so don't duck and run. For those who know the 23 Psalm, recite the first versus (sans punctuation): The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want ..NOW...where and how do you see/feel/remember the punctuation?
Dont cheat and look yet, but feeeeeel the words:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
The Lord is my shepherd? I shall not want?
The Lord is my shepherd! I shall not want?
The Lord is my shepherd I, shall not want;
Ok, the answer will vary depending on which version of the book you read, however, the majority of the versions print these words with a clear break in the thought, either with a semi-colon (;) or a sentence ending period (.) or exclamation point (!). [so what, Rachel?]
My money says that most of you read that sentence like you were still a child and had to memorize the verse for Sunday School class. Rambling all those words together. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Change your punctuation and emphasize those words differently. The Lord is my shepherd; (stop). Soak that in. It is written as a fact. The first part of the sentence is a statement of fact. Now, I shall not want. (new thought). I-shall-not-want. Declarative in tone! Soak it up...
I can go on and on, because I'm fascinated by the punctuation right now.
[Stop the bus]
Stop! the bus! (dont get hit!)
Stop the bus. (hop to it Superman)
Yes, my own use of punctuation is weak, but I'm excited to better punctuate my life!
How do you punctuate yours?
Friday, December 13, 2013
Two Years!
Yes, its been a really long time since I shared, and as I type this its crosses my mind that I've not checked on what my last post was. Suppose some would say dont look back, it doesn't matter, type on sistah! Others may say I should really look and connect with the last post so as to pick up where I left off and maintain consistency. (If you could only hear the inflection and tone in my head with either of those personas).
I sat down to type this morning with one clear thought in my mind, REJOICE. This word has been stuck with me since church on Sunday. "Rejooooice! Rejoooooice! Emmaaaaan-u-el...."
My immediate reaction to this word is that I have SO much to rejoice for. We are now TWO YEARS since the last Plasmapheresis treatment and first round of Rituxan! That IS something to shout about. In my last post, you read what Medical Remission means to me, what we do, how we live, etc. In the world of Myasthenia, we are also working with many people around Texas to assist the upstart and continuance of support groups. We do what we can to share awareness of Myasthenia Gravis.
I sat down to type this morning with one clear thought in my mind, REJOICE. This word has been stuck with me since church on Sunday. "Rejooooice! Rejoooooice! Emmaaaaan-u-el...."
My immediate reaction to this word is that I have SO much to rejoice for. We are now TWO YEARS since the last Plasmapheresis treatment and first round of Rituxan! That IS something to shout about. In my last post, you read what Medical Remission means to me, what we do, how we live, etc. In the world of Myasthenia, we are also working with many people around Texas to assist the upstart and continuance of support groups. We do what we can to share awareness of Myasthenia Gravis.
After that initial reaction to 'Rejoice'...the second thought consumes me! When did I FIRST joice? ...ponder that!
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday!
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