It has been another beautiful day outside despite spending the bulk of my day trying to get a leg up on my schoolwork. This week will be a busy one as we have a prenatal appointment, are expecting family down late Friday, having our baby shower Saturday, then celebrating VDay and my wonderful husband's birthday next Sunday. In the meantime, trying to get the house in order, finish up some household projects, and finalize stuff for out family and the baby shower. Whew! Plus, homeschooling my 2nd grader and my own schoolwork. Today, it was necessary to sacrifice my "day of rest" to do something that will help me not get so stressed this coming week.
I am trying hard to embrace the moments in life that enable me to breathe, or trying to force myself to MAKE these moments. It is a lot easier to endure grueling schoolwork that makes my eyes glaze over when I am sitting on the back porch embracing the beautiful weather - 60-ish degrees here in Sunny Southwest Florida!!!- and enjoying the stillness and simplicity outside. Inside, seems to be all of the chaos; a never-ending to-do list. At least outside, there is so much more beauty to take in, when the neighbors aren't screaming and dogs aren't barking that is.
I also realized something this week too, Friday in fact. As I was in a slumpy mood, likely from totally overdoing myself the day before, I struggled with irritability, fatigue, and general feelings of unpleasantness. So, instead of giving in, I realized that my husband works a 40 hour work week and gets two breaks during the day and an hour for lunch each day where he will often take a stroll outside and enjoy the beautiful weather also. Why should I expect myself to do as much as I do each day and not give myself the same privileges?!?!?! What is it about females that makes us feel we have to 'do it all' and never stop?!?!?! That is one of my goals for this year: to take better care of myself, let go of all these unrealistic expectations, and embrace the breathing moments in life - even if I have to schedule it in for myself. I also give my son the same breaks throughout his homeschool day... Why can't I have that too? Why am I so hard on myself?
Do you experience this struggle too? Is it just a female thing? If you have experienced this, what steps do you take to overcome it? Feel free to leave any comments or to simply reflect.
As today is Sunday, generally the day set aside for observing the Sabbath and giving in to the one day of total rest that God commands us to do, I am particularly reflecting on this topic and seeing the wisdom and logic behind it.
What good am I to anyone, especially my own family, especially in ministry, if I wear myself down so much that I am too burnout to properly see to the needs of others?
The answer is "simple:" REST!!! BREATHE!!! Enjoy and embrace life, even five or so minutes at a time. RECHARGE. I like that God commands us to do it, because otherwise, would we ever? ...
(Image taken from Google Search: recharge)
As Lent approaches, I am preparing to fully embrace the challenge this year and give up on Facebook, embrace rest, and do things that recharge me, while I reflect on God and gaining more intimacy with Him.
What distractions in your life weigh you down? Are the things on your 'to-do' list really necessary? I think it's time for some pruning, what about you?
Until next time,
~ The Starving Artist ~
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