Taking time to breathe....

I recently heard a story about a young lady who was preparing to graduate from high school.  An honor student, worked part-time at the local library, volunteered at the animal shelter and helped with the children’s programs in her church.  Almost every night of the week she had an activity going on.  She had university all planned, knew her major and recently accepted into the school of her choice.
 
Why is she sitting in a counselor office?  Why is she so depressed? During the first session with the counselor it didn’t take long to know that this talented and smart young lady was in a very serious emotional state.  As the counselor asked questions the young lady had all the right answers, was genuinely polite and was a pleasure to talk with.  Nearing the end of the first session the counselor casually asked what she likes to do for fun.  The young lady just stared at the counselor with a blank look.  So the counselor asked again with a different question, “What are your hobbies?”  Again, a blank stare.  The young lady that had the right answer for everything did not know how to answer this question.  Why?
 
She had been prepping for her future for so long that she didn’t enjoy the journey a long the way.  She didn’t have any hobbies and she rarely had time to just breathe. 
 
While it is good to have ambition and goals to accomplish things in life.  It is not good to make yourself so busy and structured that you do not have time to build into yourself.  By having time to be still, to create, to write, to read - we discover who we are.  We discover our unique gifts and talents.

​Throughout the month of April we have been on a journaling journey, I am so enjoying this time to stop and reflect on my day, to write a few things about myself and share this experience with others.

As I am nearing the half-way point of this exercise I have been noticing the inadvertent example that I am setting for my daughters.  Before my accident I was so busy!  I was running most nights, either driving my daughters somewhere or I had something going on.  My accident forced me to slow down, and I am so thankful!  Last night I found myself just sitting and staring out a window watching the birds!

I want to encourage you to take the time to watch the birds, they are far more interesting than social media on your phone - it sets an example for your children that they desperately need.