June 6, 2012 - Me Time!

I love the coolness of the morning - but the warmth of the sun on my skin also brings a smile. When we consider the real complexities of creation, how can we help but smile? I know that so many times there are formulas for everything and everything seems so complicated. But last night I was in a friend's pool in her back yard; and there were no houses around only trees; and peaceful flowers and the gentle sounds of a bird sanctuary and for that span of time - life came to a resting halt and the complexities of the day melted and we laughed. We did our water aerobics and worked all our muscles but it was fun and uncomplicated. I drove home realizing how critical to our journey are the moments of peace where our bodies really rest and enjoy life. Maybe your life is uncomplicated and you have pockets like that daily - but I do not. And in that pocket, I KNEW my body was resting. NOW I was working out - but my mind, spirit and heart were at peace. The psalmist writes that our hearts are to be SET "at peace" again. That means SET BACK to a resting state. God never intended for us to live in such complexities that our heart is racing in competition with our minds and one day ROLLS into the next. As my body hung in the water last night and the warmth of the water protected me from the chill of the wind - I was reminded that God's best plan for our life included moments like this as we stop striving to BE and HAVE and DO and PERFORM and we SIMPLY REST......even for a pocket and let our bodies regroup. Many times life demands ALL of us and then our health, our food, our water intake is the LAST THING on our mind. In fact, we give to everyone, make meals for everyone, watch everyone's lives in our "protection mode" and don't have enough energy for ourselves. I lived there forever and still have to fight against that tendency! But things are changing. I have heard statements like, "always make time for yourself - you deserve it" and I felt that people who spoke things as such were selfish. I now get it - I DO have to focus on me or I will not be healthy enough to focus on others very long. If our bodies were created to last forever - no prob - I can take care of everyone BUT me. But unfortunately that is untrue. So, at this season of life, I had to start retraining my mind and body to expect and enjoy things that were foreign - WATER, VEGGIES, ALMOND FLOUR, POCKETS OF SIMPLE REST. :) You know. But I am also having to study health and shop differently and spend more on food that is healthy. Isn't that horrible - the foods we NEED are the most expensive. But, I am worth it and I find other avenues in which to balance the "budget." I am amazed at how many confess, "I can't be healthy - it costs too much." I don't know about you but being sick and unhealthy is VERY COSTLY. Money for prescriptions is one thing - but feeling bad all the time and depressed about being sick is way more COSTLY to me. I hate being sick. So today it's really okay to focus on YOU for some part of each day and enjoy taking care of YOU. I challenge you to readjust the budget, readjust your exercise time (get in the pool and laugh), readjust your ME TIME and your heart will begin to laugh and that contagious joy will change the atmosphere where you are. Give yourself PERMISSION to take care of you. The dishes will be there tomorrow. :) PK