“We are shaped by what we love” ~Gothe
What is it that you love?
What captures your attention? Your thoughts? Your energy?
As the seasons change, it’s a good time for me to remind myself anew of those things I love.
Too often, I get caught up in “life”, hurrying from one project to the next, and forget why I do them. When productivity becomes my focus, my true love suffers. I get up and grab my to-do list, she’s a strict and merciless taskmaster, that list. She shouts at me during my brief quiet time.
Hurry up…You have too much to do to just sit there!!!
I push breathlessly through the day with her at my heels, so I can check off one task and another. I forget to pray without ceasing. I’m hurried and my thoughts are centered around my little world. Around myself.
And as you would imagine, it doesn’t take long for me to be completely self absorbed.
But that’s not the shape I want my life to take.
I think God knows that because He’s so gracious to send reminders.
Oftentimes, it’s the change of seasons…when the bleak days of winter melt into puddles or spring rains dry in the sunshine of summer. It’s then my senses are sharpened. I look around with wonder at all the graces.
And once again, my to-do list takes her proper place, underneath my prayer journal, who is not a strict and merciless taskmaster. My prayer journal is kind and quiet and oh-so-very polite. She waits patiently for me to begin listing graces and giving thanks for all things new.
And in a moments time my life begins to expand beyond my own margins as I remember what it is that I really love.
Do you ever lose focus? If you do, how do you turn your focus back to the things you love?
Sending you prayers for a day full of all things lovely my friends
xo
Yes, I do lose focus. When I hear myself talking about how “busy” I am, I know it’s time to slow down and take stock. “Busy” is an excuse for me. It keeps me from the things that matter. It keeps me from noticing the world around me as well as the parts inside myself that need tending. The best way for me to get back to what matters in my life is to work in the garden or to take a long walk in a wild place. Nature always brings me back to where I need to be. Love the photos in this post, Robin! That squirrel is priceless. xo
Going for a walk is a huge stress reliever for me. When I’m feeling anxious, I just head out with my sneakers on. That’s when I notice tiny bunnies, neighbors sweeping their walkways and colorful umbrellas shading rhododendrons that are just starting to bud.When I’m feeling weepy with perimenopause, a walk does wonders for my soul.
Beautiful thoughts. I just posted my to-do list yesterday and even stated this morning how overwhelmed it makes me feel. I love how you put it into perspective that our to-do list should be underneath our prayer journal. Great reminder that God is in control.
This is a wonderful reminder, and it is beautifully-written. I’ll be pondering these thoughts throughout the day…
Today is a good day to ponder, as I’m considering it our first official day of summer vacation! Our last day of (home)school was last Thursday, but we had other obligations on Friday. Memorial Day MIGHT have counted as our first day of summer, but I had a root canal scheduled for Tuesday morning, and there was NO WAY I wanted a root canal to be a part of my summer vacation. 😉 So I’m calling today our first day, and it will be a day of pool, playing and pondering, followed by my ladies’ Bible study this evening — a pretty good First Day of Summer Vacation, I think!
Hope you have a day full of blessings!
Love this Robin. So easy to be out of focus more than in focus. To think how short a moment it was on each of those beautiful pictures you are sharing with us. So much of the time is just taking it all in. I certainly have to continually and all day ask God to help me focus and to draw my eyes and heart to what He desires me to focus on. LOVE IT! Blessings and focus!
Another beautifully written post, Robin. As I have gotten older, I remind myself much more often to slow down and take time to smell the roses. Life passes much to quickly for me to be absorbed in myself and all my plans. I need to take time now to spend time with God and my family. Those are the times where I’ll just grab my camera and start snapping pictures of God’s beautiful creation and saying prayers of thanks for giving us such beauty to enjoy.
Thinking I want to come, sit with you in your lovely back yard, sip a cup of hot coffee or tea, and just be still.
Your photos are stunning and I certainly slowed down while reading to enjoy them! So fresh and profuse with pretty color! My little problem is that I am so distracted by focusing on so many little things, I can’t even do projects very much anymore. But it does allow me to delegate my time and energy to the things I love- that much is purely a gift.
Vicky, love you my sweet friend, I always remember to slow and give thanks when I read your words…xo
It is so nice to stop and smell the roses!!
Life is short, don’t let it pass!
Have a blessed and wonderful day!!
Karrianne, amen sista! you have a blessed day too my friend! xo
Oh, Robin, I am so much a slave to my “to do” lists! I am constantly seeking ways to balance everything in life and yet I often leave out “quiet time”. Your beautifully written post reminds me to slow down and savor the moments that deserve my attention. Most things that clamor for my attention will wait and are not worth stressing over the way I do. Your photos in this post are beautiful and inspire me to pick back up my camera – something I’ve laid down in all my business. Thanks for sharing your wise thoughts and encouraging words!
Jane, I so understand and you have an important job on top of everything at home! Pull out that camera and let us see some of your beautiful photos 🙂 xoox