I was rushing, rushing, rushing this week, trying to get ready for a trip out of town. So much to do. So little time.
And wouldn't you know it? The alarm on my phone rang, reminding me that I had an appointment to have my hair cut. Just when I didn't have time to do what was already on my list, let alone sit in a stylist's chair for an hour.
I needed a haircut (you can see some of my red locks on the floor!), but more than that I needed to slow down. All the rush, rush, rush had left me breathless, body and soul.
So I decided to sit calmly, savoring the respite of the stylist's chair in the middle of my busy day.
And I was reminded of these wise words:
"(When we begin to practice) the will of God as we discern it, then we have begun to live in guidance. And I find He never guides us into an intolerable scramble of panting feverishness. . .
"Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It is amazing. It is triumphant. It is radiant. It takes no time, but it occupies all our time. And it makes our life programs new and overcoming. We need not get frantic. He is at the helm."
--Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion
What about you? Do you ever find yourself in an "intolerable scramble of panting feverishness"? What helps you to slow down?
This post is the fourth entry in a 31-day series: Caring for Myself Body and Soul.
Click here for a list of all the posts in this series.
LOL- I so needed to read this this morning, Richella. I am getting ready for company from out of state and have rushing like CRAZY! AND- I looked at the calendar and realized I have a hair appointment at noon...AND she just called to see if I could come in at 10:30 lol xo Diana
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. I know that frantic feeling. And when it comes my way, I try to remember to take a moment to close my eyes and breathe a prayer. It takes practice, and I'm still learning. Great post!
ReplyDeleteif I was going to get a tattoo - this is what i would most certainly have inscribed on my inner arm:
ReplyDeleteHe never guides us into an intolerable scramble of panting feverishness. .
Love!
I needed this today! I too need to stop and smell the roses, and enjoy the moment instead of rush rush rush. Thank you! XO
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm in a season of mostly calm, despite the big picture of life is kind of crazy. This is an important series, Richella; how wise of you to tackle it! Self-care isn't narcissistic excess, it's necessary for our ability to love others well!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE, NEEDED....THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my goals for this year - to slow down! What has helped is a mid-week Respite Prayer session at my church. On Wednesdays at 12:15 you go to the chapel, sit in a pew, and sit quietly for 15 minutes. It is an introduction to centering prayer which was new to me but our associate pastor ( a woman) decided to try it because she was seeing a lot of frenzied people in her office. It is harder than I thought to sit in prayer for 15 minutes. It is great though, especially since I have preschool pick-up afterward so it puts me in a good frame of mind.
ReplyDelete