I often call myself the energizer bunny.
This is NEVER out-loud of course; because I think if I called myself the energizer bunny in front of my friends, they'd either go straight to the dirty thoughts that roam the confines of their in-the-gutter brains (get the laughs out now, people) or they'd think I was crazier then I already am.
...OR WORSE. They would not know who the energizer bunny is...much like my conversation I had with a girlfriend over "who is Zach Morris."
fail. Fail. FAIL.
So WHY then, do I identify so well with a fluffy pink bunny that never turns off? Ignore the fluffiness, and the pinkiness, and you're left with something that just keeps "going and going and going..."
Being busy and living life that way is just something I have ALWAYS done. I like having places to be, people to see, work to do. Being busy takes me to new relationships, new creativity and new discoveries about myself and life.
THE DRAMATIC TWIST:
This was it! It happened sometime between the pages of "Life Changing Conversations: A Coach's Guidebook" and a bite of Panera's Mac and Cheese.
"Come away with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest for awhile." Mark 6:3
Aaaah...what am I supposed to do, God? You want me to go to a quiet place and turn my brain off and rest?!
Yeah. Let's see... how can I do that?! I've got people to see. I've got photos to edit. A little boy to burp. Don't you know that I just keep going and going and going? I'm the energizer bunny!
And yet, You're calling me to rest.
Okay. But what does this rest look like?
I know upon further conversation/investigation with my friend Lindsey that rest looks different for different people. But here is the outline of what we discovered for me:
1. It most likely does not mean sleep-though I need that and think that should count. The rest Mark 6:3 is talking about is a deep rest. One that is good for your soul and leaves your tank full afterwards...which is different than sleep.
2. It means chilling on using the iphone. My brain is constantly stimulated by that apple "ding," a plane swooshing sound for sending emails, and my sound I set for facebook notifications. I noticed today, when I pulled out my iphone to check something that Emmett was staring at me for five whole minutes before I noticed!
3. It definitely means chilling on the computer and internet. I am a social networking fiend, a photoshop wiz kid, and I LOVE reading blogs and pinterest. So much so that during Emmett's nap today (keep in mind I'm still in my PJs) instead of showering I went over to the computer to scan my newsfeed and began working on photos simultaneously. AND I REALLY NEEDED TO TAKE A SHOWER! Ugh.
4. It means taking care of my body. I need to be working out, getting fit, feeling good and like me again.
5. It means date nights. Since I discovered this yesterday, I immediately set to a family date night. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings and played that game they project on the TVs. )We're HilAl and HilAlEm so if you see us, you know it's me beating you, haha.) So now Alan and I just need to have our date night together-which is planned for us on Saturday night.
6. It means setting boundaries. Yes this might mean if you call me, I might not answer. If you text me, I might not answer back right away. If you email me, you may have to wait until tomorrow to get a response. But I promise I WILL Get back with you! Do not worry-I've got you covered.
7. It means time with God. This is the HARDEST out of the group because I'm not sure what this looks like. When I feel God the most is when I'm around people and when I'm being creative! I feel him when Alan wraps his arms around me. And I breathe in that feeling of thankfulness 100 times over with Him when I look into Emmett's eyes. ...But then again, I know that's not a "Quiet Time" with him. And I think I'm a very kinetic person, so I'm feeling I might be journaling or blogging a lot for this.
I'm seizing the day by not seizing the day. I'm going Off the electronic grid. I'm doing the things on this list today and I'm going to know what it feels like to rest.
Really, truly, rest.
What does your "rest picture" look like?
xo,
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