"Takin' Time Out"

Definition: The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.  A serious thought or a calm, lengthy, intent consideration.  Something that bounces back like light waves, sound waves, image or even your thoughts.

 

 

As we have begun another new year, (can you believe it is 2016?) I felt it only appropriate to choose the word REFLECTION for this week’s post.  Sitting here in the wee hours of the early morning sipping on a warm cup of fresh mint tea…I have to be completely honest with you…I feel a bit overwhelmed, discouraged, full of regret as I have not posted since last September. I have made a commitment and written out some goals for this next year that hopefully will prevent this from happening in the future.

 

The past 3 months are a big ole blur…my day job the one that brings home the bacon has been the most challenging in my 33 year career…I won’t get into all the details but I have learned a very valuable lesson as I reflect back. I can’t undo or redo what took place but I can take those nuggets or experiences and decide what worked and what didn’t to help me move forward.  So much of what I do is directed by other outside sources, so I don’t really get to make the decisions I am more the consultant relaying the changes and how to navigate to the end result and many times the end result are not always positive.  Driving to work yesterday I was giving myself a little pep talk, trying to motivate myself while listening to one of my favorite podcasters. I always like to reflect on the day before and items left on my “To Do List!” when I suddenly realized it is never enough.  Whatever I get done by the next day it is never enough…there is always more to do, a bigger crisis, a fire burning…that my friend is simply called LIFE!  So it’s a new year a new beginning time to begin again and time to commit to “Takin Time Out!”

 

I do know when I begin to feel inadequate I need to turn to God and lay my burdens at the cross. The more I do this the more he bears the weight of my burdens and the load seems much lighter and I move forward one step at a time.

 

When you think of the word reflection what comes to your mind? A mirror, a pool of water with images of the bank glistening and reflecting back or perhaps it maybe your image in the window?  I am not sure what age or stage in life you may be but have you ever considered writing or recording a life reflection story about yourself?  This doesn’t have to be fancy or lengthy it just has to be from the heart. Stories are how we transmit the wisdom, life lessons and compassion we have gained in our lifetime to simply share for the next generation.  They inspire us; connect us to something bigger than ourselves.  They can mark your own life’s milestone, writing about life events, celebrations, trials, tribulations and letting those who eventually read it know a little bit more because it is on paper or recorded to be able to listen to over and over.  I think maybe deep down this is one reason I started this blog a few years back.  I wanted to share with you what my thoughts or experiences have been.  We all aspire to live a good life, to feel that our life matters and to make a positive difference for others to share, why not capture through life reflection stories…maybe that should be one goal or resolution to accomplish this year.  As Proverbs 27:19 states “As water reflects the face so one’s life reflects the heart.”

 

As I was thinking about Reflection a simple story I once heard came to mind but so relates to many things we deal with in life:

 

There was a king who presented his daughter with a beautiful diamond necklace. The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. The king then asked them all to search for it and put a reward for $50,000 for anyone who found it.

 

 One day, a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. This river was completely polluted and filthy and smelly. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. He decided to try and catch it so that he could get the $50,000 reward.

 

 He put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed at the necklace, but somehow missed it and didn’t catch it. He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there. He tried again. This time he walked in the river and dirtied his pants in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace.

 

 But strangely, he still missed the necklace! He came out and started walking away, feeling depressed. Then again, he saw the necklace, right there. This time he was determined to get it, no matter what. He decided to plunge into the river. Although it was disgusting, he plunged in and searched everywhere for the necklace. Yet one more time, he failed. This time he was really bewildered and came out feeling very depressed that he could not get the necklace that would get him $50,000. 

 

Just then, a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what the matter was. The clerk didn’t want to share the secret with the saint, thinking he might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell him anything.

 

 The saint could see this man was troubled. Being compassionate, he again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it. The clerk mustered some courage and decided to put some faith in the saint. He told him about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it, but kept failing.

 

 The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of in the filthy river. The clerk looked up and true enough; the necklace was dangling on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.

Limiting beliefs, a muddy reflection, or self-sabotaging habits can stand in our way from reaching our true potential. So as you are “Takin Time Out” this week, what reflections appear strong and vivid in your mind?  What changes, improvements, goals or resolutions do you have on your list for this upcoming year?  I encourage you to write it down…share with a close friend or family member to make it more real and have an accountability partner.  Let’s make it happen…Until next time my friends…”Attract what you expect, Reflect what you Desire, Become what you Respect, and Mirror what you Admire”

 

 

 

 

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