Aside from the many treasured moments of being with my elderly parents, one of the reasons I love to return to Dorset, is to give myself a “time-out”. Time out from the everyday “normal” … away from the demands of routine living, a break from the hustle and bustle of self-imposed activity and the endless doing, doing, doing {most of which I admit is self inflicted!}  While there, I’m usually busy assisting my folks, but when I snatch some precious “alone” time to breathe in the tranquility of the peaceful countryside,  I’m reminded how valuable, rewarding {and health promoting} it is to simply BE. 

To be still, to be IN the present moment with no thought to the next activity.  Just me and God, basking in the glory of being … being with Him in quiet, reverent solitude and gratitude. I cherish this time to renew, reflect and observe life from a fresh perspective, where priority and meaning lead to clarity and focus on what’s REALLY important in my personal journey and my place and purpose in life …who I was created to be and why. 

Can you relate? Do you take time-outs to BE?

Why is it that we are called human “beings”? What I observe in today’s world loudly proclaims we’re NOT beings at all, but rather we’ve morphed into human “doings” {me included}. UGH!!!! In fact most of us are so consumed with the doing part, that we’re not even aware we’ve ceased to BE. We feel something is missing.  We sense life is not the way it’s intended … and yet what do we do? 

Instead of taking a time-out to be still for a short while, we add another activity into our already jam-packed life. We fill up another block of time on our calendar {or multiple calendars} and those entries don’t include “time to be” or “quiet reflections” – instead the day-timer reminders name a person to meet, a place to go or some sort of activity  … more stuff that all falls under the “do” category!

Have you noticed when you get a chance to sit quietly with self for a few moments, you can’t be still even then? Your hands are busy and your mind is hyperactive! What to do next, where to go next? Who should I call? I wonder what’s happening on Facebook. Ding! Oh I’d better check email. Blup! Who’s texting me?

My dear friends, it’s not that there’s never enough time in the day, it’s how we choose to spend our time.  Always doing and not seizing a few time-outs to simply BE. Instead of taking a few minutes to be still, quiet and introspective, what do we do? We grab our phone and jump into the frenzy of social media. ADHD personified! LOL!  Well – it’s true right?

Constantly doing is seductive and it’s addictive isn’t it? Yes it takes one to know one – I’ve lived that rat-race in the past! I call it the “Martha Complex” of doing – instead of being. I’ve worked hard to quiet that Martha side of me, so as to cultivate the “Mary” in me … the Mary who knew how to BE. 

I know how easy it is to fall into the trap {and habit} of perpetual motion, frantic busyness from morning to night, going hither and thither, doing for others over being with others, cramming more and more commitments into an already overextended life … and all the while bemoaning “there’s not enough time”!

And it’s not just a physical thing is it? It’s mental … it’s an overactive brain never switching off! Yes, all that “noise” and stimulation from within, without and all around you! Have you noticed how hard it is to shut down a racing, overstimulated mind?  Does any of this resonate with you?  Do you find yourself on the “doing” merry-go-round of life?

What’s it all for? To what end? Do you know?

Is it to make more money, to collect more stuff, have more friends, get more, more, more {reminder – there’s no U-Haul behind a hearse!}  Is it to fill every waking hour doing something or going somewhere? Where does it all lead ultimately? Are we fulfilled, happy and content? Or do we end up craving quality time for self and family, or wishing life were different, regretting things left undone, or more importantly anguishing over sentiments left unspoken to those we most cherish in our lives? For me, I want a simple life of no regrets.

Dear ones, STOP the incessant doing for a moment and take a time-out! JUST BE!

Invest some time in you and your peace of mind.  Nourish your soul. Take a few minutes each day to catch your breath, to quiet your rambling mind, to ponder the meaning of life. To marvel at nature, to acknowledge the miracle of you, to open your mind to possibilities, to feel gratitude, to sense the will of God, to hear His still, small voice whispering His love and calling your name. He yearns for your presence.

My prayer for you today is to know the joy, peace and understanding of simply BEING.

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.“ King James version. I Kings 19:12