“Direction is so much more important than speed. Many are going nowhere fast.”
As I’ve mentioned to you guys before, it was at the top of my 2015 to do list to learn how to swim and I was a happy camper when I started my lessons last November. Hey! Better late than never, right? One comment my instructor has been throwing at me nonstop is to slow down. You would think that as a beginner, I would be a slow swimmer but no! I’m the one who swims so fast that I’m completely out of breath by the time I reach the end of the pool. I’m really trying to fix this but I think the impatient side of me wants to reach my destination so fast that I sometimes miss out on an efficient journey.
This really hit me while at the gym as I would get myself exhausted rather quickly because I would pedal so quickly on the exercise bike that I would be completely out of breath in under 5 minutes. I decided to slow down and 30 minutes later, I was still going with no issues.
Then I really started thinking to myself, am I burning myself out in different areas of my life because I’m going too fast instead of more efficiently? So many times, we fail to enjoy our journey because we are so focused on the destination. Tunnel vision isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it motivates us to keep our focus on our end goal, but the journey also teaches us lessons that we may miss out on if we don’t take the time to slow down and smell the roses.
Many of us can relate to this woman I chatted with in the locker room yesterday. She was telling me that she just can’t stand the fact that she’s always running around and if it wasn’t for her family in NY, she would have moved elsewhere just so she can have a chance to slow down and just be. It goes without saying that the demands of our everyday lives always have us on the go, but it is imperative that we take time for ourselves, for our loved ones, to do what we love with who we love. The Bible even tells us that there is a time for everything so if you find yourself always rushing and evidently burnt out, take a moment to breathe, prioritize and just be.
Just as worrying isn’t from God, neither is the feeling of constantly rushing from one thing to the next, doing the unimportant before the necessary and sometimes being exhausted with no accomplishment to show for your fatigue. It should be emphasized here that slowing down shouldn’t be mistaken for complacency. When we remain calm, more often than not, the things that we rush after just come to us. There’s a reason that Psalms 46 says “Be still and know that I am God”. If you really believe that the God you serve will take care of every aspect of your life, why stress yourself out over the small things? So today, I challenge you my dear friends to just breathe and let Jesus be the Lord of your schedule. If we’re always busy and unavailable, He can’t use us and we can’t grow closer in our relationship with Him. Let’s remember that the more things we have on our to do list, the more we need to sit at His feet and let Him order our steps.
“So let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what’s good and find what’s best.
Just breathe
Come and rest at My feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe.”
Jonny Diaz – Breathe
xoxo,
Edwina
Wow. What a thoughtful write up. I need to look into my life also
I’m glad you enjoyed it darling 😉 bookmark and share if you’d like!
So Wonderfully Written Edwina! Seriously!
I get paid to differentiate the Very Gifted from the above average …
One of my Friends just became Published for the second* time … title “Whispers” by Charlotte Wright @ Amazon + you can read some of her work on g+ +Charlotte Wright …
The first time I read her work on g+ I asked her if she had ever been or considered being published? Char replied yes in high school … she was married, had Children placing Family First. Now divorced and Children grown Char began to write again … I can’t take credit for her choice.
*getting to the point*
Well on her way still I encouraged her to write and submit her work …
Edwina I Rarely ask anyone to Trust me … but You Young Lady should write more stories …
1. I Honestly feel you have the Gift and can become Published. Please Contemplate it at length and Pray over it …I didn’t say/ask you to quit your Beloved Career. Just Pray and Think …
2. You have the Potential to Reach Many More Souls with your Unwavering Faith … Gurl it’s so Natural/Easy to Feel that your Inspiration is Sincerely from your Heart and Soul!
Preaching’s over 🙂 Get back to what you were doing …
Be Safe, Well and Have a Fantastic Day 🙂 peace
Author
Hi there baby girl. It’s so good to see you here again 🙂 Hope you had an awesome Easter!
My goodness, I had to read your message a couple of times. It’s quite amazing how someone you’ve never met can believe in you so much 🙂 I’m quite flattered and thankful for your support.
I don’t know that being published is part of my destiny but if it happens, I suppose I’ll welcome that blessing with open arms. In the meantime, please pray that God helps me to discover my purpose. I’m down for whatever will bring the most glory to His name. Again thank you! You’re far too kind 🙂
Awww Pour Baby just saw your reply. I Always keep you in my Prayers …
We don’t need to be from the same family, grow up together, attend the same school, go to the same Church, be neighbors or ever meet in person to know one another … it is said a Child is know by their ways … heck might even ruin a Friendship if ya had to put up with me … We Know what We to if We weren’t Friends We wouldn’t be talking. Edwina, You have Some Mighty Good Ways! imma give the Credit to your Mommy and Daddy 🙂 tee hee
Now young Lady whatever you feel your “Purpose” was/is Supposed to be …
Sorry it was in place way before your Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandparents were Conceived!
Maybe God has Chosen You to make others Feel Special (you do, just said so in today’s post, check the time stamp), Show an Act of Kindness to Change the Wicked, a Friendly Word to Prevent someone from Inflicting Harm unto Another, Themselves or both, the One that Shows Love to the Heartbroken, Give Hope to the Hopeless, bring Faith to Those Lost, a Smile to Help Them Overcome Their Pain or Continue to Testify and Witness Upon His Behalf …
Perhaps You are/will Unknowingly Serve as “The” Role Model” that Lifts Another Soul to Greatness for God … You may Make an Unfit Mother/Dad become a Wonderful Parent …
I could go on and on … Bottom Line we can’t Control. Force or Change what God has Already Planned for Us … Our “Purpose” is His … Not sure if that helps the way You any Edwina but it’s True! PUSH and Keep the Faith Sis! Maybe He will Reveal it to You upon His Earth and maybe not.
Just be Yourself! Now that’ll work … Girl if you only Knew how Many times You’ve Picked me up when i was down and i’m Confident that i’n Not the Only one!
Edwina Our Perception of “Purpose” can’t be compared to the Wisdom God the Creator of all past, present and future …
However i Assure Your Future is more Brilliant than You can began to Comprehend and makes mine look so dang bleak … Can’t stand you lol 🙂
I Love and Respect You More than You’ll Ever Know my Self-doubting Sister by another Mother =D Now Try to Remember what i said …
Have a Joyful Day 🙂 peace
Author
Comments like these make the late nights all worth it. To know that my words are able to pick up at least one soul is a major blessing.
All that you mentioned is very true. For me, it’s always easier to give advice than to apply it but I’m working on that.
Can’t thank you enough for being so encouraging. May you remain blessed my dear 🙂