"Takin' Time Out"

Definition: A main division of a book, typically with a number or title. A local branch of a society.

Welcome my friends, love this time of the week when I get to sit down with my laptop, curled up in my favorite chair with a blanket wrapped around me and yes I have a savoring cup of hot orange spiced tea in my favorite cup and the dog curled up at my feet. I am frantically trying to type as fast as I can as these random thoughts are eager to come out into some form of inspiration. This week we have had major rain in North Texas and the weather has shifted to a little cooler than normal but we will take it as I am sure the blazing hot days of summer will be right around the corner. Even though I really don’t mind, I love sunshine and the heat.

This week I have chosen the word CHAPTER. While “Takin Time Out” this week I read a great quote from Victoria Moran that could apply to each of our lives…”A charmed life is lived in CHAPTERS, the way you would read a long novel…Give yourself without reservation to the CHAPTER you are on.” Read this again slowly…”give yourself without reservation to the CHAPTER you are on!”

How many of you feel like you better do everything now…today…right this minute? Do you find yourself running nonstop just to keep up, frantically trying to get it all done? How many times do we feel it is never enough or the “To Do” list never gets done? Your day is defeated and it hasn’t even begun…has someone or something robbed you of your joy? Or maybe you are fighting an illness, a loss, are just trying to keep up! Let’s STOP a minute…breathe in deeply and re-evaluate!

Read the first portion again “A charmed life is lived in CHAPTERS”. This is different way to approach life or perhaps gives us a different perspective because you live it in CHAPTER’s one section at a time just like you were reading a book. Just think about a really good book, one you can’t put down you are so engrossed in the story, absorbing each word on the page and nothing exists but what is happening now. Even though CHAPTER 9 is laying the foundation for CHAPTER 10 the book only make sense one CHAPTER at a time. Sometimes it leaves you in suspense, the adrenalin can be flowing or your heart skips a beat but you are caught up in the actual moment. This is how we should be living our lives each day. When you live your life this way you can devote more attention to what is yours, it is your story and embracing in living in the moment the present fully aware as this time will never come again. Take just a second and look at your current CHAPTER…are you in school, newly married, raising children or teenagers, perhaps you are a recent empty nester, building your career, ending your career and recently retiring, in the sandwich generation, experiencing loss, change, health issues or in the final CHAPTER? No matter where you are I hope you are truly enjoying and finding the best life has to offer being grateful for every little detail even if it is a tough one. No matter your circumstances you still have a contribution to make to society. I realize circumstances can certainly make things more complicated and we all have a CHAPTER we are ready to see end and move onto the next one or have a chance to undo. Yet as I stated earlier each CHAPTER helps build on the next one! It makes us who we are and maybe the CHAPTER is not all about you but you are living through hell to be a part of or help another person’s CHAPTER be complete! We all have to take the good, the bad and the ugly to make it a good novel! Now wouldn’t you say that is a novel idea?

Maybe your CHAPTER is like a detective you can’t quite put your finger on it. You are in search of the missing facts…something is off…just make sure your questioning does not turn into an obsession that distract you from the activities you are supposed to be living. There is nothing wrong with feeling your way through the unfamiliar realms of the new emotional landscape you may not have all the answers you just need to continue your pursuit of the truth…let your inner compass guide you. If you get too off track it’s ok to ask for help…whether it is through a friendship, mentor or a coach/counselor. There are always bumps in the road and seeking wise counsel is important to get us through that CHAPTER and onto the next!

Another point I would like to make no two stories are alike, so just because someone expects you to do things a certain way may not be your true story…your CHAPTER doesn’t always have to be in the order your parents or family members may think! We were not all designed to grow up, go to college, get a job, start and raise a perfect family, give back to the community, go to church, retire to Florida or Arizona and live happily ever after. Even though many non-fiction books portray this image or someone tells you this is how it will be let’s get real…even June and Ward Cleaver had Eddie Haskell to contend with or The Wilson’s had Dennis the Menace living next door. Life is to be an adventure…imperfect and messed up most days. That’s what makes a great book!

I feel it is very important to be grounded and connected. I need my faith in God to get me through most of my CHAPTERS and when I stray and try it my way that is the CHAPTER that is most disastrous. When you feel your CHAPTER is falling apart or you need some guidance and encouragement, I hope you will pick up the good book! Yes, the Bible…this is the bestselling book of all times. It is filled with so many CHAPTERS to help you day in and day out. It provides us with knowledge to learn to cope, maneuver, have hope, faith and learn to truly love one another. Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.” Or Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” and Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?” Finally if you are struggling Matthew 9:36 “And when Jesus looked at the crowds he felt sorry for them, because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” I am hoping you will let God be your shepherd as the next Chapter is written.

As you are “Takin Time Out” this week reflecting on your current situation or the plans ahead…please do not get so absorbed in the future or letting the past haunt you…let’s breathe in deeply, let out slowly and be present TODAY…this very moment…enjoy this CHAPTER as it is being written! Until next time my friends let us Love generously, Praise loudly, and Live fully!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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