Wednesday Inspired
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
Stephen Tremp
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
Thanks for the verses! Maybe I can fit more meditation time in...
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
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!
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.
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! ;-)
Jody, I think you are absolutely right. We need to remember the priorities of our life - and one of those should be ourself.
I walk in the quiet woods and renew myself.
Funny that the word verification was sollus as in solice.
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?
(And I'm pretty sure He drank wine instead of coffee.)
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.
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!
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.
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
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
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
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!
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!