I made an observation the other day. My husband was adding too many things to his plate, getting scattered with details, moving into a reactive place. I was deeply tired, feeling irritable, depleted, and snippy. I told him that with our unique personalities, routines are the thing that keeps us healthy. Without routines, he has a messy brain and I have a messy soul. Some people need to loosen up from their routines, finding greater freedom, trust, and flexibility. But others of us *need* these routines to function wholly and well. (If you are into Enneagram language, my husband is a 9 and I am a 4).
Yesterday, I committed to my good routines again. My Bible reading, a walk, some Pilates, a green smoothie, grocery shopping, haircuts for the boys, watching my boys swim, a date night, watching a show at night as a family. Basic things but grounding, calming and focused. These summer days can be disorganized with no clear focus as the schedule changes with vacations, guests, late nights, summer sports. In the in-between days, when I stop and catch my breath, it can feel challenging to prioritize. I come back to nourishment. We have to deeply refill our bodies, souls, and spirits to handle the summer with grace and peace.
This is a helpful podcast that reiterates the need to keep filled as we live and love others in Kingdom living. Coming out of the upheaval of the last year, it is time to shore up the ways of living that enable us to lead and love well amidst so much flux and cultural storms. Summer can be messy, but let’s face it, we have been living in this off-balanced posture for over a year. Whether it’s been the virus or politics or shortages or racial tensions or financial upheaval or wonky education, we have had to discern and pivot constantly. This book is another excellent read to make sure that we haven’t allowed all this stress and upheaval to cause us to drift. It’s time to focus, even when our summer schedules and the bigger issues we are facing in the world continue to distract our minds and hearts.
A few questions:
What is one thing I can focus on in tending my home before the weekend?
Where is my focus first thing in the morning and is that what I want?
Do I need to do a “brain dump” on a post-it or on paper to get out all the random to-dos floating around in my head? What are the 2-3 things to focus on *today*?
Sometimes our swirly brains can’t figure out what needs to come next so we either shut down OR overwork. It’s important to sit before the Lord each morning and ask for His plan for our day. The Spirit wants to lead us if we will choose to be led. Trust over control.
I hope your Thursday will be filled with focus, priorities prompted by the Holy Spirit!
Aimee
Oh Mercy, I don’t know whether to laugh, cry, high five, or shout AMEN to this. SAME mixture of clashing organizational styles going on here for months!!! Chaos has run over my plans, goals, routines and mental peace. Trying to reestablish order before I lose my mind. As always, you nailed it, Aimee 🤣