Wednesday Inspired

It's Wednesday again. It happens every week about this time. It does on my planet anyway.

Have you noticed lately the number of bloggers unplugging...taking a break...or going on a blog-cation? For the others- they've mentioned, threatened or promised to do so in the future. I remember the New Year's Resolutions that drifted across Bloggyland and how so many people hoped that 2010 would be better. Is it?

Sometimes, I feel like a 7 times handed down shirt, washed and hung out to dry. A little worn and weary.

I've noticed that Tamika at The Write Worship has set up a Blog schedule. Then every third week she totally unplugs to give her best to her WIP. The girl is wise. She has set her priorities. She knows her limits.

I think we gain nothing when we try to gain everything. Sometimes we push ourselves too hard or let others push. Sometimes we try to be everything to everyone. And sometimes we put everyone else first and that's when we become last. Then we experience fatigue and a disconnect that can bring us to our knees.

We forget.

We neglect.

We run on empty.

This reminds me of when Jesus walked the earth and how he was concerned about rest and renewal. He knew when it was time to disconnect from the world (as much as he could), rest and prayed. To find his rest he did three things:

1. He found a time when he could be alone. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up...." (Mark 1:v35a)

2. He unplugged for a period of time. "...left the house and went off to a solitary place...." (Mark 1: 35b)

3. He found his renewal through prayer. "...where he prayed." (Mark 1: 35b)

It’s really important to stay centered in life and focused on the important.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35 (NIV)

I want you to feel inspired to live a good life less the stress of trying to be it all.

Is it easy for you to know and set your own limits? What do you do to renew?  What blogs you down? (sorry I couldn't help it)


Comments

Anonymous said…
I don't see in this verse where he brewed a few cups of coffee, but I'm pretty sure that's what he would have done. I go for walks. Gotta get away and pray and its too distracting to try and do this at home.

Stephen Tremp
Hi Teresa .. blogger's just bombed me out! Hate that ..

We all need to take time to rest and renew or re-evaluate where our lives are taking us.

Now is a good time to set those wheels in motion .. get those habits up and running .. exercise, good food - with the new vegetables and fresh fruit bursting forth - meditation, fresh air and long walks - reminding us of nature .. clear our heads and plan our future ..

Give ourselves 'our time' ..
Thanks for the inspiring Wednesday reminder .. Hilary
This is such a great point, Teresa. And you're right...many of us drive ourselves into the ground in 100 different ways--and we need recharging time.

Thanks for the verses! Maybe I can fit more meditation time in...

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Cindy said…
I confess I've never understood it when bloggers feel they have to post an announcement saying they need a break from blogging. They own the blog. They get to set the rules. They are free to post or not. That's not a criticism; I just always think "it's your blog! No pressure! The world isn't going to end if you miss a day, a week or a month." That's how I look at mine.

I try to look at my life the same way. "No" is a complete sentence and if things are getting stressed, I get to pray about it and ask the Lord what I need to do differently and what He wants me to set as the priority.

Thanks for another thoughtful post!
Cindy said…
p.s. - to renew I do something creative besides writing (needlework, make cards, photography, etc.) and I don't turn on the computer. I recently left Facebook because it was taking too much time and I really didn't enjoy it.
Stephen, I bet he was thinking coffee. :) Away from distraction completes the soul.

Hilary, I see a balance in your answer. This is what we need to do.

Elizabeth, And WE are the hammer driving ourselves "100 different ways".

Cindy, I find that interesting too- announcing we are taking a break. I don't answer for others, but I do it out of courtesy.
Mason Canyon said…
We do all drive ourselves too hard sometimes. We think just a little more today and tomorrow I'll slow down. Unfortunately for some, tomorrow never comes so we should wake up and slow down today. Thanks for the reminder.
Jody Hedlund said…
Great points! Actually, I think it's a good thing for people to take a blogging break from time to time. I've blogged about it before and I think there's an over-emphasize on blogging to develop a readership and platform. So many writers get caught up in that. I've come to realize blogging won't really develop our true readership (which will come after we've published our books.)

Because of that, I think we need to take the pressure off ourselves when blogging gets too demanding. We should enjoy it for the support, the learning, etc. and keep it in perspective. Just my two cents! ;-)
Mason, We need to remember that tomorrow may never come.

Jody, I think you are absolutely right. We need to remember the priorities of our life - and one of those should be ourself.
Gail said…
We are the ones who set our goals too high. A blogging break need not be announced because there is no schedule.

I walk in the quiet woods and renew myself.

Funny that the word verification was sollus as in solice.
Devon Ellington said…
i do think it's important to unplug. However, if the blog is part of your writing connection with your readers and you've cultivated a readership, you have a responsibility to them.

It's one thing to set up a schedule or let people know you're taking time off or whatever -- we all need time away to refill the creative well.

But when someone says "Oh, I don't have time to blog" -- I find that incredibly disrespectful and a slap in the face to the readership. It's telling readers "you're not worth my time". When, frankly, without readers, writers don't have a reason to exist and certainly can't make a living.

So if it hit a blog where the writer starts the whole "I don't have time to blog" whine, not only do I not return, I don't buy that person's work.

Because if I"m not worth the time, why should I be supporting this person with money and MY time?
Good discussion. The internet is a huge place and can eat up all our time if we let it. It's our responsibility to manage and to create balance. It's okay to say no! But I also agree with Devon that writers need to find a way to connect with their readers.

(And I'm pretty sure He drank wine instead of coffee.)
JeMA said…
It is a struggle to know and set my limits. I find it challenging to balance my art with the house and family. I constantly have to reevaluate the expectations I have of myself. Many times I have unhuman expectations set that just set me up for failure. I am trying to get rid of those!
Mary Aalgaard said…
It's interesting. When I find myself thinking and saying, "I have so much to do." and listing them and fussing at every unfinished corner, every demand on my energy, I know it's time to take a nap, take a walk, take a break with a friend. Rest.
Aahh...be still and know...

I have a horrible time with limits. I usually push and push until I've run right past the brink, and unfortunately, everyone around me suffers.

I love this post. It's a great reminder about the importance of stepping back.
CM said…
My blog is my creative outlet. If I didn't blog, I would not have a place of my own to write, post pictures, ect. I also don't take my blog too seriously. It's just a hobby for me.

I do enjoy meeting other moms and reading other blogs, and that is where I have to be careful with my time. I could spend all day and night reading blogs if I had nothing else to do! They are like mini memoirs, so interesting! So I get to the blogs I can get to when I can get to them!
Gail, a walk is always a renewal for me. I walked two miles yesterday- loved it- almost didn't make it home.

Devon- I agree, don't blog and whine about blogging. My problem (if it's a problem) is I love it. I love reading them and posting.

Karen, we just need to control ourselves-our time- on the net.

Jema, That may be the woman in us- wanting to do it all. You know "I am woman hear me roar".

Mary, If only we would listen- to inner talk.

Kat, Stepping back- love it. We would do that to get out of the way of a speeding car or away from fire.

CM, True all of it. We need to look at whatever is becoming the focus of our life and ask- is it suppose to be this way?


PS TO ALL- I love blogging-reading and writing.
patti said…
You are simply amazing AND a great writer.

God is helping me past my doodly time-wasting ways, which "blog" me down. Surprisingly, composing blogs seems to charge my creative juices.

Thanks for the great scripture references.

Patti
Ann Elle Altman said…
JW, I am one of those people that will go until they collapse and completely have a nervous breakdown. Once, I ended up in the hospital. I have however learned to say the magic word - NO! I often say that because I have been learning my limits.

ann
Sally said…
I blog when the mood strikes... and it's a great outlet for some of my inner angst...
I love reading other's blogs too- like this one- that keeps me focused..

I tend to get way to wrapped up in trying to take care of everyone else... but I find that taking time outside- even a circuitous route through the country.... gives me some breathing room
Joanne said…
I set my limits with a To-Do list. It really helps to manage my time so that I get done what needs to be done. Writing a few posts ahead of time and putting them in Scheduler helps too with the blogging. To renew? Lots of walks, time off, day trips, that sort of thing usually does the trick.
Angela C. said…
Hey Teresa, I don't blog but I read blogs. I read yours and your sisters...I try and keep it in the family (that would be yours I guess..ha). I want to learn how to start one, but not sure how.
Now I do get "blogged" down in life. I'm a caretaker, that is of others and ignore myself to unforgiving limits most often. I had a friend tell me recently that I am there for everyone else, praying them up, giving all I got...so who takes care of me? Good question...still trying to find the answer to that one (Ha).
Actually God keeps me on my feet even if they are dragging at times!
We have to learn to find a reprieve, take a breather...be okay to think of ourselves once in awhile.

Angela Case
Unknown said…
Sometimes (most the time) the "to do" list does not have me penciled in. :-)
Anonymous said…
Wow - that blogger is indeed wise. I've actually cut back on my blogging as a result of not getting enough work on my WIP done as well. I also try and do all my blog writing at once then schedule each post. That was nigh impossible with a 5 day a week update schedule. Most excellent post. Thanks!
"What blogs you down?" Love it!!!!

As you know I'm on a very long writing hiatus so I guess that's my way right now of rejuvenating. It's God driven so I'm very much at peace with it. I think whatever is backed by God is always sure to be the right thing. Lots of prayer over it. That's my advice!
"What blogs you down?" Love it!!!!

As you know I'm on a very long writing hiatus so I guess that's my way right now of rejuvenating. It's God driven so I'm very much at peace with it. I think whatever is backed by God is always sure to be the right thing. Lots of prayer over it. That's my advice!
I am grappling with these issues myself.

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