Rambling Friday: One Step at a Time

 As those who read my blog have learned, I had covid this winter. 

Hubby and I talked about many things on the phone before I could have visitors in the hospital, and we came to some decisions that we've needed to make for a while. 

One of the decisions we made was to slow down. And when I say that, I mean Hubby wants to semi-retire. Along with that decision comes this one: we want to pick up on our traveling. 

Now what I want you to know, we've traveled a LOT in our marriage, what with ministry and fun vacations, especially with family. But we've allowed ourselves to slow down on the fun things in life because of work. We forgot that all work and little play make the Browns dull people. We were drowning in all work and little play. 

But in the midst of that decision, I also made my own personal decisions. 

* I wanted to downsize, and what I mean by that: I have too much stuff! In storage, I have dish sets I've never used. Etc. Etc. I have things that I've thought about for years: someday I might use these. Really? Why do I have these? Why am I keeping all this stuff? So my family will be burdened with getting rid of it or deciding who wants it? I already know the answer. Sell, give away or trash. Now. I can see myself dusting my hands now...

* Another decision I made was to create heritage books for my two sons. I've wanted to do this for a while, but was always too busy with other things. This year is the year to do it...I made notes once I was able to do so in bed. I talked with hubby asking him questions about his ancestors. Since I've always wanted to do more family research (and I LOVE research), this is one I believe I will enjoy! 

*  One other decision I will list today is stop allowing myself to be stressed over my writing. My style is my style. I don't have to do everything, be involved in everything. So prioritizing is a priority for me. I need to remember that I don't have to write a book (and mine are not novellas) in a month. I can take my time, enjoy the research and the writing and feel fully satisfied when it's ready for publication. I can pick and choose what activities I want to participate in, that pertain to writing. 

 

I can enjoy my talent, my heart's desire, and my very favorite "job" that I've ever had. 

Of course, our decisions may adjust or change. Life happens. But in my heart, I know that we've made some great decisions. For now, that's good enough for me. 

Have you made changes in your life? 

Losing My Sanity

It's a fact. The Christmas season is a rushed, overly commercialized holiday. With ads and promotions pushing you to buy more, do more, be more, it can get too hectic. I've been there and done that. 

But it doesn't have to be. When you've reached that spot in your life where you wonder if it's all worth it, then STOP.  Take a deep breath (or several) and walk away for a few minutes. 

Here are three ways that can help you produce a spiritual and comforting season for yourself and those you love who surround you. 

1. Focus on what's important.  Too many activities or duties will wear even the strongest down. Don't! Don't try to cram everything in. When I looked at all the things that were interesting, that I'd love to experience or share with my loved ones, I knew I couldn't do them all. Some filtered out because of the distance we'd had to travel, others because of pressing duties. But two items have remained, and both will give us time to spend one-on-one with those we hold dear. 
2. Go with the flow.  Allow time for the unexpected. Life happens, plans change, ideas evolve. Don't stress out over it, but breathe deeply over the unexpected, savor the moment, and know that all things happen for a reason, even when we don't know why. You only get to live once. Don't allow even one second to pass without you squeezing every bit of joy from it.
3. Enjoy the season.  Relax, breathe evenly, rejoice in the blessings you have, remember the good times, the lessons learned, that God loves you...and keep the joy or the reason for the season and the hope that is ours who love Him. 

Don't lose your sanity over a wonderful month of celebration. Do you have other ideas on how to keep the stress from your life? Share!

Merry Christmas!

A Tip to Reduce Stress:

Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

Blessings!

Stress Management

Totally for fun and a good laugh!
Enjoy. (and, er, read at your own risk!)

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest Psychological journals.

1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.

2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.

3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

4. No one knows your secret place.

5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

There!! See? It really does work. You're smiling already.



Quote:
Success is simple: do what's right the right way at the right time. --Arnold Glasgow

Blessings

What? You've Got Stress?

Thank you to my friend, Joyce, for sending this my way . . .

A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,
raised a glass of water and asked
"How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 20 g to 500 g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued,

"And that's the way it is with stress management.

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,

as the burden becomes increasingly heavy,

we won't be able to carry on. "

"As with the glass of water,

you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.

When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down.

Don't carry it home.

You can pick it up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now,

let them down for a moment if you can."

So, my friend, put down anything that may be a burden
to you right now.

Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while:
for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon,
and some days you're the statue.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet,
just in case you have to eat them.

* Always read stuff that will make you look good
if you die in the middle of it.

* If you can't be kind,
at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again,
it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.

* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time,
because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

* Nobody cares if you can't dance well.
Just get up and dance.

* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird,
sleep late.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* When everything's coming your way,
you're in the wrong lane.

* Birthdays are good for you.
The more you have, the longer you live.

* You may be only one person in the world,
but you may also be the world to one person.

* Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

* We could learn a lot from crayons...
Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull.
Some have weird names, and all are different colors,
but they all have to live in the same box.

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have an awesome day and know that someone
has thought about you today...I did!

Lord, when I am wrong, make me willing to change. And when I am right, make me easy to live with. Amen.

Blessings