"For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:30
In the quest to live a more abundant, fulfilling, and God-honoring life, one easy way to enjoy life more is to SLOW DOWN.
But HOW?
The American pace of life has gone full speed ahead for far too long - to the detriment of our health, faith, relationships and well being.
I know how hard it is to slow down.
I know how much there is to do.
I know that fear of disaster if we don't do it all right now.
Take it from me. I KNOW.
Alternate title for this post: "Confessions from a Multi-Tasking Jack of All Trades."
Yep... master of none.
And I know I'm not alone. Most of us wear MANY hats.
Sometimes we rush around so much that we forget to take off one hat before donning another.
And here's the thing:
Those hats get heavy.
The first hat gets crushed by those we keep piling on top.
This leaning tower of hats won't stay balanced on our heads.
Eventually, all the hats fall off into a scattered mess on the floor.
That's when life gets REALLY HARD.
That's when there are TOO MANY FIRES TO PUT OUT.
That's when DISASTER STRIKES in a big hot mess.
So how do we PREVENT FOREST FIRES, Smokey Bear?
S.L.O.W. D.O.W.N.
But what does that even look like in 2018 America?
Here's a clue:
ENJOY the hat you're wearing. And wear ONE HAT AT A TIME.
For me, this looks like scheduling days for different tasks. Today, I'm a blogger. Mondays, I'm a bookkeeper. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I run a nonprofit. Thursdays, I'm an author. I stay flexible and switch around if I need to. But on the weekends, I'm off duty.
Here's the key:
Stop multi-tasking.
Focus on the task at hand.
That's tough in so many ways. Especially if you're running a business, working from home, or parenting young children.
You can't exactly take off the "mom hat" when you put on the chef's hat. You still need to be aware of what's happening in the play room while you're focusing on that box of gourmet mac-n-cheese.
But don't add the distractions of trying to catch up on work, folding laundry or having a financial discussion with your spouse while keeping an eye on the kids and cooking dinner.
Take off the fireman's hat, because even the best fireman on earth can't put out all those fires at once.
Setting margin between activities helps us SLOW DOWN.
Boundaries also help us focus more intently on work when we're working,
and on home and family when we're home.
Wear ONE HAT AT A TIME firmly planted on your head.
Our work is done more efficiently.
Our personal lives are more fulfilling.
Our houses aren't burning down.
AND WE ENJOY LIFE MORE.
Even better news!
There's a SECRET WEAPON to accomplishing this slowing down transformation.
PRAY & TRUST GOD.
Ultimately, HE is in control of our lives.
And guess what? He has a better way!
He created us. He knows us. He loves us.
He wants what's BEST for us. And ONLY HE KNOWS what that is.
Stop striving and multi-tasking and burdening yourself with heavy hats.
PRAY for God's guidance, grace and peace.
TRUST God to direct your steps toward a slower pace of life.
FOCUS on your Father in heaven, not the fires here on earth.
Hats off to God!
"If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children." Genesis 33:13-14
What are your slowing down tricks and tips? Please share in the comments.
I *believe* the comments are finally working.
This technology-challenged writer has put down one more fire! Oh yeah!
[Please don't tell me they're not working. Or I'll be putting on my Russian fur earmuff hat.]
