Feeling overwhelmed and somewhat unbalanced by a series of too many clustered events, the time is right to explore a burning question from Linda Mitchell, this month's Spiritual Journey Thursday host. Where is your heart on this spiritual journey we are all on? Pondering this question can unlock not straightforward, rather winding path that starts with my one word, appreciate.
In order to unravel my thoughts, I backtrack to years ago when I let my Endless To-Do List drift into the abyss. It was too heavy a load to carry daily. In the aftermath, I decided to try to simplify my printed notepaper but life kept interrupting and the list became cumbersome once again. Now, clustered events climb on the backs of each other to make a rather messy-looking calendar. Sleep habits are disturbed and deadlines need to be extended. I question myself. How can I appreciate life if I don't have time to slow down? Ah Ha! Positivity rises!
So where is my heart on my spiritual journey? I need to balance my personal, family, and professional lives. Yes, this is true. I need to slow down-another truth. Then, there is the medical issue of cataract surgery. Obviously, I need to have cataracts removed. There still is a small window of time between now and the first operation in March.
Journey on, I say without buts or negatives. So where do I start? Just because it is winter does not mean that I cannot cultivate a garden or appreciate the shifting landscapes.
Several Ways to Energize the Heart:
- Strengthen the physical aspects by continued exercise, eating healthy, relax before sleep time
- Continue feeding my soul with inspiration (reading and writing poetry)
- Believe in Psalm 37:4: take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart
- Build a garden of love
What a loving post. Every time you turned to something negative, you turned right back around. Learning to let go and let God is hard. Grandchildren are a gift but they take energy. If we get overwhelmed by our to-do lists, we have less energy left for the important things. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, Margaret. They are helpful. Letting go is difficult for me but I know that Letting God take over is the way to go. I am feeling tired now. I think the five days of Grandma-sitting has finally caught up with me so I am being gentle with my self, another piece of advice from you. Many thanks.
DeleteLook at those sweet grandgirls all cuddled up. You know, taking care of little ones is so consuming that we, OK I, got very accustomed to the break to breathe a little once the kiddies got bigger. I didn't mind the teenage years of hours in the bedrooms. But, when they were little it was all kids all the time. You know it's all so worth it. What memories these girls have--so fortunate! How long will recovery from surgery be? I hope it's not too bad. I'm so glad you are enjoying the questions. Me too!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I remember when my own children were small, I had a baby book for each of them. The idea was to write in it like a journal. That never seemed to work out for me. It was enough to work, come home, and begin the work of a mother. I am glad that I am beginning a practice of writing for and about the girls. As Ruth Ayres says, storytelling is a sacred task as we stack the stories. Yes, watching children and filling up their day is an all-consuming task. I may be exhausted from the week of grandparent sitting but it was so worth it. Observing these little girls is a joyful task.
DeleteYour heart and mine are in the same place, Carol. God's blessings as you let go and find balance. It's a day by day, step by step adventure. I know you will smile all the way through.
ReplyDeleteKaren, thanks for sharing a place with me on the spiritual journey. This group of ours is special and so supportive. Here's to finding new balance during February with positivity!
DeleteI'm having trouble leaving comments, so I had to sign out and try a new way. Carol, I love your title, Journey On with Heart! And the way you shared your heartfelt thoughts and then ideas to energize the heart. You must be filled with joy after five days with your dear girls. We have all three boys every Friday and we're full of stories about their escapades that we love retelling after they're gone. Good luck with your surgery.
ReplyDeleteSo many things speak deeply to me in your post, Carol: A to-do list too heavy to carry each day, learning to simplify, journeying on "without buts or negatives." King's handwritten note reminds me of 1 John 4:8 - "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." It is a vital reminder that if we profess Him with our lips, our hearts must love, even when it is not easy, and, in fact, when it is most difficult. I treasure your poem about a garden of love growing in a grandmother's heart - abundantly! Also love the quote about the importance of a grandmother's love - i know how true that is. Those beautiful grandgirls are growing up so fast - I know what a joy they are to you. Mine are an abiding joy to me. Thank you for these words of encouragement in the daily journey.
ReplyDeleteFran, reading your comment after reading your posts is a blessed healing. I wonder if you realize how the Lord is using you as a disciple of joy and strength for others. This community is filled with believers and wonderers who understand life's travails and joys. I am so glad that I am here with friends of faith. My wish would be that we all meet to share the love and faith. In fact, I am going to suggest that we have a Zoom meet-up at some time just to say hello. Thank you for always being close to my heart as we walk our journey.
DeleteCarol, I empathize with this post, with the details of daily living that can overwhelm us and make us weary. Nature is key, I think--your gardening, my Getaway escapes--reminders that there is more to this Earth than the scribblings on notepads and planners, a bigger cycle to pay attention to.
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