April was its own brand of busy and I can almost feel myself taking a deep breath that I’ll have to hold all the way through May. But I’m hoping this year will be a little bit different.
Something Loved
My husband and I shared a rare day off in April. We made a day trip to Ikea and have a leisurely lunch and spent some quality time together. In the midst of a very busy and stressful season it felt like a pocket of calm.
When times like these are rare, it’s easy to over-expect and under-engage. I worry that it has to be the best day ever or it’s wasted. But I was able to just enjoy the day for what it was and then afterwards plan for the next enjoyable thing. Knowing we have something else to look forward to scheduled soon made it even easier.
Something that Sustained Me
Knowing I have something to look forward to on the calendar has been so sustaining for me this past month. Whether it’s time with my husband (day off, date night, weekend away), dinner with another couple, coffee with a friend or even a day where I have no where I have to be. It makes such a difference to be able to look ahead to something I’m looking forward to rather than simply daily tasks on repeat.
Something Carrying Forward
The nights that I put away the phone, get in my pjs early and read in bed (preferably a real paper book) I sleep better. This isn’t easy for me to do. There are lots of reasons (good and bad) for me to stay up later or do something on technology.
I’ve been reading a lot more because all my interlibrary loans have arrived at once! Without the possiblity of renewals, I’m suddenly motivated to spend a lot more time reading which is a really good thing.
I’m hoping I’ll be able to carry this forward even when I run out of interlibrary loans.
Something To Make Space for
I need space to breathe, to think, to wonder and to listen. Things continue to move a breakneck pace and I struggle to find room just to breathe. I don’t know what it looks like to make space for this. Sometimes I don’t really want to because that’s when the fears and misgivings that I keep tamped down come to the surface.
But I also know that distraction isn’t the same as rest or peace. So I’m trying to make space and room, in my schedule and in my soul to just be., to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and find peace with the unknown ahead.
I link up with a group of faithful writers monthly (when I remember to actually post) through My Joyful Life: Share 4 Somethings,as we reflect on the past month.
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