This summer, I have been trying slow myself down--in reactions, in decisions, and in moving. It is difficult for me to spend time deliberating. Typically, if there is a gap between something I've thought to do and me doing it, it is not because I've spent that time deliberating so much as I've spent it procrastinating. With this impulsivity (which much of the time is very fun!), I fill my life up with overcommitting, but I've noticed my mind and body has been keeping the score.
Gardening has been feeding my soul this year. It was such a gift in the spring as I was slogging through a job (thankfully, I worked from home and could jump right into my garden as soon as the workday ended). But I ran headlong into that, got a little too "enthusiastic", and injured my shoulder a bit.
When I'm at home, even when I'm not working a job, I'm on my feet a lot. I may not "exercise" very much, but I walk around quite a bit inside and outside of the house. With the job and gardening filling up my time, I failed to incorporate stretching and yoga, which I've found to greatly effect the way my body feels. Plantar fasciitis has been a message to me this summer to slow down, take time to stretch and take care of my body; and, instead of pushing myself to tears walking the streets on vacation, find ways to enjoy at a slower pace, or to take a scooter ride (even if it is a bit terrifying).
'm struck by "I fill my life up with overcommitting, but I've noticed my mind and body has been keeping the score."
It sounds as if you have done some real self discovery and care this summer about how to even the score, and the rituals of gardening, moving your body through the day, and noticing the minutia of your life have, in the words of Emily P. Freeman, given your soul room to breathe. I wonder if you can identify a spiritual disciple or practice in the spirit of these practices that would nurture your faith in a similar way?
I feel as though my summer is all about rhythm. I’ve been exploring the nature of personal rhythms and paying attention to the habits that I need, and the ones that I desperately want to include but am not sure about yet… I’m an enneagram 9 and have a really hard time figuring out what I actually need, what really fills me. I’m also deeply involved in helping our church find rhythm again after 15 months of not gathering in person. It’s challenging and exhausting, so my own personal rhythms are extremely important in this season!
(Also, I’d do everything I could to take part in any sort of “live” component!)
Hi Corinne, I too am noticing just how important rhythm is, and how out-of-kilter I feel when the rhythm is off. Like a clothes dryer that has gotten out of sync and bangs with every rotation.
I'm curious to hear how you are finding rhythm in your church life as I imagine the way you've provided help to them mirrors something of your own needs. I wonder if you were to 'zoom out' and see the way you're helping your church (in a thematic sort of way) might help you identify your own needs, too? I suspect they may come from a similar place within you. ❤️
For the past 2 weeks, my family and I have been on vacation in Alaska. My last trip there was 18 years ago (at which time my husband and I got engaged). The trip was such a healing salve to my spirit. I felt God everywhere...so much of our trip was in nature. We are not particularly outdoorsy, but this trip really pushed us to try new things....really dig deep for those memories. We went glacier climbing, rafting and took a wildlife cruise. We learned about the Alaska native populations and saw what life was like for them. This trip was very different for us. We needed it so badly.
In all the good, there was some hard. We had 2 ER trips for my youngest son due to his underlying health concerns, and in those moments, I wondered whether I made a mistake bringing him all the way up to Alaska. The doctors there treated his needs and got us back on our way. I should tell you that my sister is a nurse, and she travels with us to provide support for Tate. She is very good at her job, but we still needed more help I wondered if the ER team judged my parenting choices, but as I left, one of the doctors told me I was BRAVE because we did what most people in our situation wouldn't do. We knew the risks and we took them to give him this trip. And guys...he was SO HAPPY for the last 2 weeks. But this trip really wasn't for him. It was for my other kids...who sat on the sidelines for the last 2 years while everything revolved around Tate. We are healing together...learning how to navigate waters that are dark and deep. My family has taught me to be brave.
I was lucky to receive your texts with photos of this trip, and it did MY heart good to see you all enjoying time together disconnected from the typical demands of every day life. I wonder what of your trip you could bring back home - any new rhythms, patterns, or ideas to continue nurturing your family life inspired by the things that gave you life in Alaska?
I was sad to hear about Tate's struggles there, and I'm glad you heard a voice of encouragement from the doctor. You are brave. You are living. Tate is living. Your kids are living. I'm cheering you on as you continue to celebrate that and find ways to enjoy amidst the struggle!
Usually I enjoy the in-betweenness that summer can provide. A gap to relax and recharge. However, I don't feel the need to recharge. Instead I feel pressure to do and to go. I should be less hard on myself or maybe I should ride the wave... Who knows? Maybe after this year and a half of cutting myself a break, I just need this uncomfortable momentum to kick start whatever comes next.
That's a really interesting perspective - to use a lull and uncomfortable momentum to kick start the next phase. I wonder if you gave yourself permission to sit in the discomfort for a little while, an hour maybe, what you might notice about yourself that could help you discern more about what's next. Is there a particular aspect that's uncomfortable, or something specific you miss? What does it look like to kick start life into those areas of your heart?
I'm not sure I ever give myself permission to sit in the discomfort. It's too... uncomfortable. ;)
This summer's discomfort stems from the unknown.. I hate not knowing what's next. I love productivity. I'm always planning ahead or trying to guess what comes next (or maybe it's more like 'assume' what comes next).
But I see what you mean and I like your perspective. I'll give it a go to see what I can learn about myself.
This summer, I have been trying slow myself down--in reactions, in decisions, and in moving. It is difficult for me to spend time deliberating. Typically, if there is a gap between something I've thought to do and me doing it, it is not because I've spent that time deliberating so much as I've spent it procrastinating. With this impulsivity (which much of the time is very fun!), I fill my life up with overcommitting, but I've noticed my mind and body has been keeping the score.
Gardening has been feeding my soul this year. It was such a gift in the spring as I was slogging through a job (thankfully, I worked from home and could jump right into my garden as soon as the workday ended). But I ran headlong into that, got a little too "enthusiastic", and injured my shoulder a bit.
When I'm at home, even when I'm not working a job, I'm on my feet a lot. I may not "exercise" very much, but I walk around quite a bit inside and outside of the house. With the job and gardening filling up my time, I failed to incorporate stretching and yoga, which I've found to greatly effect the way my body feels. Plantar fasciitis has been a message to me this summer to slow down, take time to stretch and take care of my body; and, instead of pushing myself to tears walking the streets on vacation, find ways to enjoy at a slower pace, or to take a scooter ride (even if it is a bit terrifying).
'm struck by "I fill my life up with overcommitting, but I've noticed my mind and body has been keeping the score."
It sounds as if you have done some real self discovery and care this summer about how to even the score, and the rituals of gardening, moving your body through the day, and noticing the minutia of your life have, in the words of Emily P. Freeman, given your soul room to breathe. I wonder if you can identify a spiritual disciple or practice in the spirit of these practices that would nurture your faith in a similar way?
I feel as though my summer is all about rhythm. I’ve been exploring the nature of personal rhythms and paying attention to the habits that I need, and the ones that I desperately want to include but am not sure about yet… I’m an enneagram 9 and have a really hard time figuring out what I actually need, what really fills me. I’m also deeply involved in helping our church find rhythm again after 15 months of not gathering in person. It’s challenging and exhausting, so my own personal rhythms are extremely important in this season!
(Also, I’d do everything I could to take part in any sort of “live” component!)
Hi Corinne, I too am noticing just how important rhythm is, and how out-of-kilter I feel when the rhythm is off. Like a clothes dryer that has gotten out of sync and bangs with every rotation.
I'm curious to hear how you are finding rhythm in your church life as I imagine the way you've provided help to them mirrors something of your own needs. I wonder if you were to 'zoom out' and see the way you're helping your church (in a thematic sort of way) might help you identify your own needs, too? I suspect they may come from a similar place within you. ❤️
For the past 2 weeks, my family and I have been on vacation in Alaska. My last trip there was 18 years ago (at which time my husband and I got engaged). The trip was such a healing salve to my spirit. I felt God everywhere...so much of our trip was in nature. We are not particularly outdoorsy, but this trip really pushed us to try new things....really dig deep for those memories. We went glacier climbing, rafting and took a wildlife cruise. We learned about the Alaska native populations and saw what life was like for them. This trip was very different for us. We needed it so badly.
In all the good, there was some hard. We had 2 ER trips for my youngest son due to his underlying health concerns, and in those moments, I wondered whether I made a mistake bringing him all the way up to Alaska. The doctors there treated his needs and got us back on our way. I should tell you that my sister is a nurse, and she travels with us to provide support for Tate. She is very good at her job, but we still needed more help I wondered if the ER team judged my parenting choices, but as I left, one of the doctors told me I was BRAVE because we did what most people in our situation wouldn't do. We knew the risks and we took them to give him this trip. And guys...he was SO HAPPY for the last 2 weeks. But this trip really wasn't for him. It was for my other kids...who sat on the sidelines for the last 2 years while everything revolved around Tate. We are healing together...learning how to navigate waters that are dark and deep. My family has taught me to be brave.
I was lucky to receive your texts with photos of this trip, and it did MY heart good to see you all enjoying time together disconnected from the typical demands of every day life. I wonder what of your trip you could bring back home - any new rhythms, patterns, or ideas to continue nurturing your family life inspired by the things that gave you life in Alaska?
I was sad to hear about Tate's struggles there, and I'm glad you heard a voice of encouragement from the doctor. You are brave. You are living. Tate is living. Your kids are living. I'm cheering you on as you continue to celebrate that and find ways to enjoy amidst the struggle!
Feeling a bit 'in-between' this summer.
Usually I enjoy the in-betweenness that summer can provide. A gap to relax and recharge. However, I don't feel the need to recharge. Instead I feel pressure to do and to go. I should be less hard on myself or maybe I should ride the wave... Who knows? Maybe after this year and a half of cutting myself a break, I just need this uncomfortable momentum to kick start whatever comes next.
That's a really interesting perspective - to use a lull and uncomfortable momentum to kick start the next phase. I wonder if you gave yourself permission to sit in the discomfort for a little while, an hour maybe, what you might notice about yourself that could help you discern more about what's next. Is there a particular aspect that's uncomfortable, or something specific you miss? What does it look like to kick start life into those areas of your heart?
I'm not sure I ever give myself permission to sit in the discomfort. It's too... uncomfortable. ;)
This summer's discomfort stems from the unknown.. I hate not knowing what's next. I love productivity. I'm always planning ahead or trying to guess what comes next (or maybe it's more like 'assume' what comes next).
But I see what you mean and I like your perspective. I'll give it a go to see what I can learn about myself.