We do a lot. I do a lot. And we forget about us.
Sometimes we forget to sit and take time for ourselves. I like to call it “me time”.
I mean, when was the last time you sat and colored? Went for a walk for no reason? Read more than 1 chapter of a book? Wrote a letter? Finished that Netflix you’ve been trying to finish without being interrupted?
We do a lot. I do a lot. And we forget about us.
Tonight I hid away for an hour. I brought books, my journal, thank you cards, and my bible with me. (I sound like a saint having all of that, I’m not). Even in my time alone I felt the need to do something. When I walked into the small room I dumped my stuff on a couch and looked to my left. There it was, a black and white polka dotted tacky roll of wrapping paper. Immediately my mind zoned in on the most brilliant idea, well at least I thought it was. All I needed was a sharpie and I was set. To my surprise there was one in the room next door. I snatched it, sprawled on the ground, paper rolled out and music flowing. I was ready. But what the heck was I going to do with a black and white polka dotted tacky roll of wrapping paper and a sharpie. It seemed like a better idea before my thought became reality. I really wish someone walked in the room to ask me what I was doing. I looked crazy.
Should I draw something? I can't draw. Should I write something? I like writing, and it might look better than me trying to draw a horse or something. But what would I write?
I looked to my right… there it was: My Bible.
I wrote out a verse that has meant a lot to me:
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."
Psalm 55:22
I realized some thoughts as I was writing these words: If I'm constantly caring for others, focusing my time on the next activity, job, or task at hand, how could I ever cast any burdens I carry on Him? How could I ever even know I had burdens to cast?
Finding balance between being alone and with others has been one of my biggest struggles I think, OVER MY WHOLE LIFE! Luckily, I worked on it a lot this past year. I came to terms with the fact that it is, if not, the most important thing to have a stable mind, and sustain it. To STOP sometimes and do NOTHING. Or maybe that nothing can be something for yourself.
But how do I do that?
Shut off your phone, computer, people, and go do what makes you feel reenergized. It will take practice. I know that sounds insane that we would need to practice taking time in our schedule to do something for ourselves, but trust me it does. And when you keep up with the rhythm of balance I believe you might find yourself feeling a bit more alive.
SO THE CHALLENGE:
I challenge you this week to take one hour each day for "me time". If you like it, keep it up through next week and so on. Make it a priority. At least 15-60 mins of "me time" a day could make such a difference. If you don't know what to do, I recommend writing something meaningful on a random roll of black and white polka dotted tacky wrapping paper, it helped me and it might help you.
Until next time...
Not the best quality of a picture, but it wasn't really the best quality of art to shoot.
Written: July 7, 2016
Edited: September 21, 2017
Music While Editing: So Much More Than This by Grace VanderWaal