Soul BREATH (#24)

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As I write this post, I’m struggling a bit. Do you ever have a day when you want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers up over your head…and stay there…for 4 days? I guess you could say, I’ve already had enough of this week. My soul is tired. Sometimes life is like that. The to do lists and the weight of daily responsibilities have a way of taking a toll sometimes.

I think this occurs when one gets too much of something – even if that something is good – and too little of something else. Life gets a bit out of balance. If the Enough Life is the sweet spot between too little (scarcity) and too much (excess), I have to wonder what have I had too little of lately and of what have I had too much?

Too MuchToo Little
Unrealistic expectationsUnstructured time
WorkTime with people I love
HypervigilanceWalking with the dog
Constant productionSoaking time with Jesus
HouseworkSleep

I feel a bit out of breath.

That makes me think of the creation story recorded in the Bible. In the second chapter of Genesis we are told that the LORD God breathed into Adam’s nostrils and Adam became a living being. The breath of life. Yes, that’s what I need right now. My soul needs a fresh breath. The kind of breath that is refreshing and life-giving.

I realize that I have let the ever-present to do lists get more than enough attention at the expense of the things that are life-giving for me, things that nourish my heart and soul. Therefore, I will add life-giving activities to the very top of my To Do List this week…well, right after my nap.

What gives your soul breath? What is life-giving for you right now?

Enough during “The Holidays” (Post #2)

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So, the Christmas holiday is over, and the new year is here. I have taken time over the past couple of weeks to really think deeply about the idea of enough. It seems that the period between Thanksgiving and New Year, known as “the holidays”, is laden with extremes. Either it is marked by excess or scarcity.

For many, this time of year is marked by excess. We often think of this excess in the form of eating and drinking – consuming way too many calories this time of year. Perhaps we recognize the excessive spending this time of year as well – the credit card debt and skyrocketing costs of the family feast. But have you ever thought of the excess we experience this time of year in terms of stress as well, such as all the extra errands, parties, obligations, fake smiles we give and receive, demands, etc.

For many other people, this time of year is marked by scarcity. This scarcity stands in stark contrast to the cultural excess noted above – no food to throw the family feast at all. Or worse yet, no party invitations and no one to worry about giving a gift to, let alone the worry of how to acquire it. This scarcity brings a very real stress of a different kind. The stress of loneliness and feeling marginalized. The stress of wanting. The stress of having needs that go unmet.

What could enough look like during “the holidays”? Might it look like:

  • Making gifts rather than buying?
  • Giving one thoughtful gift rather than four thought-less gifts?
  • Providing one dish of comfort food that feeds our loved ones’ souls as well as their stomachs rather than six dishes that stretch our time, sanity, and wallets to their breaking point?
  • Finding ways to politely decline a few invitations so we can joyfully accept a few others that will really add special meaning and memories to this season of life?
  • Taking time to savor the aspects of the holiday season that really add meaning and value to our lives?
  • Those experiencing a time of excess sharing a bit with those experiencing a time of scarcity?
  • Mindfulness in spending to ensure good intentions don’t suddenly move us from financial stability to instability due to excessive holiday debt?

What are your thoughts? What did you experience during “the holidays”?