No trespassing: guarding our time

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash.

During Bible study, we’ve spent time discussing the importance of—and how to—guard our prayer time. This prompted me to ask the question: What if I take that concept and apply it to other areas of my life, too? Like building relationships, pursuing new passions, developing and/or honing fresh skills and knowledge…[read more]

Show up, don’t give up

The last time I wrote, it came out in bits and pieces—sprinkled throughout the course of a day. It wasn’t the most productive work I’ve ever accomplished, but it afforded me practice at my craft. And that’s okay, because life, in itself, is one big practice (not perfect) that occurs each time we show up. For instance, I’ve returned to my music after a 20-year hiatus. Even though I’ve rehearsed several hours, so far, I have a long way to go before I sound halfway close to my “back-in-the-day” self. My daily yoga is also a study in practice each time I step on my mat. Some days look differently than others, too, depending on what’s going on in my body and my mind. Whenever we show up, even if in bits and pieces throughout the day, our muscle memory will begin to fill in the gaps. Because it’s about showing up, not giving up.

What is one area in life where you could use more practice?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Choosing to look ahead

[Image credit: anankkml]

In all of our relationships — whether it’s marriage or boyfriend/girlfriend, parenting or a friendship or even our peers in the work place — it’s easy to dwell on the times that leave a bad taste in our mouths.  But just like I talked about in Mind over matter, it’s up to each of us whether we choose to replace the negative with the positive; it’s also our choice to look ahead rather than behind.  For example, we can choose to forgive our partner for forgetting a special occasion.  And we can choose not to repeat in our minds spiteful words our children say in the heat of an argument.  We can also choose to not hold grudges and to be gracious when someone else makes a mistake.  In my experience it helps to realize I’m oftentimes the offending party, so I can only hope others make the same choice when it comes to me.  To forge ahead instead of lag behind.

Where do you spend the most time looking?

So close, yet so far away

[Image credit: David Castillo Dominici]

2,000 miles: the average distance between my family, friends and me.  Despite the miles, however, Facebook, email, mobile messaging, Skype and air travel magically draw us all close enough — even if temporarily — to touch.   Similarly, when it comes to my dreams, I’ve been fortunate to have received a taste of what’s yet to come — a teaser, if you will — and I know it’s going to be sweet.  But I also realize, just like with relationships, our dreams (whether near or far off in the future) require nurturing or they may easily slip through our fingers if we’re not careful.  So any opportunity to bridge the distance provides a purpose and a hope … while I wade through the realities of Today on my journey toward Someday.

How do you bridge the gap between dreams that are close, yet still far off in the distance?