Quitting The Busy Drug and Celebrating The Days of Simply Living
I used to love being busy. Errands to run. People to meet. Things to do. Busy was like a drug. I had taken it for so many years that I felt I couldn’t live without it.
High school was one sporting event after one choir concert after one 20 hour/week job. And college… well… having a newborn is the only thing that makes those years of sleep seem like enough.
A few weeks after I graduated I was married and only working part-time. I felt like I had been taken off of my busy drug and I just needed a fix. I could find things to do to occupy my time, especially after the birth of our oldest son, but the days that we took the car on errands were the days I looked forward to.
Then our youngest son was born under difficult circumstances. Since then I have actually started to embrace and truly enjoy the days that we are not busy. Yes, we have chores to do and lessons to learn, but we are not busy. We are simply living.
It is these days of truly living (not just being busy) that I look forward to now. I’ll admit that the days that we take the car still seem easier for me. But they just don’t seem as full.
It is these days of joyful simple living that I’d like to reflect upon in this space from time to time. These are the days that I hang laundry while we practice the alphabet, pick the evening salad from the garden while my oldest declares "Mama, I’m a farmer!", and read to two little men while I snuggle in close to their all too fleeting baby pudge.
These are the nourishing days that are the namesake of this site. And if it’s okay with you, I’d like to share mine from time to time.
It’s so easy to slip back into the busyness…thanks for the reminder.
Jana
This is a great reminder – I totally get it. Thank you! 🙂
I needed this today. I have a multitude of things to get done today and I strained a muscle in my leg. So, I am icing and heating my calf and realizing this is my body demanding the simple life. Thanks!
Jana – Hope your leg feels better!
I was just blogging on learning to rest this weekend: http://the-secret-life-of-daydreams.blogspot.com/2010/05/rest.html
It’s tough to slow down (I was the same crazy workaholic in college, working nights while taking 18-21 credits a quarter and participating in choir and vollunteering at church) but I am learning. I know I need to grow in this area, especially as I look towards the future and being a mom. I want my kids to have a peaceful home.
Rebecca – A peaceful home is such a lovely thing, and one that I strive for. Unfortunately it doesn’t always happen, but I am learning every day.
Shannon! You made me cry! I just had dinner last night with one of my best friends EVER and she was a busy girl just like you. About 2 years ago, life had another plan for her and she developed a serious bone sarcoma. Her life was put on hold for cancer treatments and now, two years later and free and clear of cancer and I whole new bionic leg inside her real live skin we talked about REALLY living and taking it slow to savor every moment. Glad she got the lesson, and glad you did too! Hugs!
Alex – Thank you for sharing your story. Really makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?
Thanks for the reminder! Life is so precious. I read the story of your son’s birth. My daughter was also born at home, under some circumstances other than what I had anticipated. But she is healthy and so am I today, and I wouldn’t have had the birth any other way. We have God to thank for taking care of us…just like He did you and your son. He must have some big plans ahead for you and your family!
Lori – Praise God!