"Takin' Time Out"

 

Definition:  an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

 

The last few months have been extremely busy, exhausting, exciting and overwhelming at times.  Looking back I wonder how I was able to accomplish so much, survive the back to back short travel adventures and enjoy each and every moment squeezing in work and play.  I hate to admit this but I even packed dirty clothes as I didn’t have time to get them washed before leaving on another trip.  Thank goodness there was a washer/dryer at the condo…LOL!  I also, had to really put forth effort and not feel guilty for the things I had to let go or not get done.  One of which was my weekly blogging…oh how I have missed you!  As I sit here sipping on a scrumptious cup of warm orange spiced tea, I feel refreshed and ready to commit to sharing my heart felt thoughts and “Takin Time Out!”  This blog has been really good therapy for me personally and my hope is I have made you laugh a little, think a little but also make sure we all are “Takin Time Out” in the fast paced world we live in.

 

Sooooo I am sittin here, listening to a little thunder and the wind has picked up.  I am thinking about what to share this week and an unusual word popped into my head – “SERENDIPITY”.   It’s a little difficult to say out loud but sorta fun…it makes me smile just reading the letters and warms my heart especially when I have a SERENDIPITY moment.  How about you have you had a time recently that was simply amazing and wasn’t planned?  Or perhaps you made an awesome discovery by chance?  Then yes you have shared that SERENDIPITY moment too…

 

Some people may prefer to use the word happenstance, fluke, luck, chance, lucky break or I really like blessings.  Whatever you prefer it is a good fortune and one I hope you each have encountered.  If you like to journal like I do, then perhaps you should start to keep a SERENDIPITY  log or notebook sharing your most ongoing list of wonders, discoveries, pleasures, joy, treat, happy moments or positive coincidences.  Maybe start by creating a note page on your cell phone and each time you have an encounter…jot it down. Then once a week or once a month go back and review…you quickly realize how often we overlook the simple but amazing SERENDIPITY moments and how often they really do happen, we just have to be aware and take notice.

 

For example this week alone I was in a hurry to run into the store and grab a couple items to get home and cook something for my hubby, change clothes and take my grand-daughter to soccer practice.  I pull in the parking lot full of cars and then suddenly there is a car closest to the door pulls out and I was next in line to whip in and take that spot.  I run in grab my items and the self-checkout lane was open and I was able to get home make some scrumptious blackened fish tacos, changed my clothes and had her to practice 10 minutes early.  Whew!  Looking back I would call that SERENDIPITY.

 

How many of you have traveled maybe on vacation and are many miles from home and run into someone you know.  You are both are completely awe struck something like that could happen, the perfect time, place and so unexpected…”SERENDIPITY!”

 

How many relationships many times the best actually happen by chance?  I know we make a joke in our family that my precious mother-in-law picked out the bride, the ring, the dress, and went on our honeymoon.  So yes it truly was a SERENDIPITY moment when my husband and I met…I was not looking for another relationship let alone a husband but 29 years ago last week were are still together.  Got to love it!

 

There are many flukes throughout history we could talk about.  For example Alexander Fleming working in a lab in a London hospital and noticed mold had formed on a bacteria culture, most may have thrown it out but through a SERENDIPITY moment he discovers mold destroyed masses of germs and penicillin was discovered and multitudes of lives have been saved.  One other discovery that I actually use almost every day is post it notes…I know you are laughing from penicillin to post it notes how does your mind think?  Well anyway I thought you should know a little history as well. In 1968 Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M was attempting to develop a super strong adhesive and instead he accidentally created a “low-tack”, reusable, pressure-sensitive glue he looked around and all he could find were scraps of yellow paper and bam a multi-million dollar discovery you can now find in many shapes, sizes and colors.

 

“In The Road Less Traveled” written by M. Scott Peck he writes of many SERENDIPITIES.  If you haven’t read it I encourage you to pick up a copy.  Even during one of the chapters he had writer’s block and a friend walked in and gave him another book she wanted to share and that book gave him the exact insight he needed to move on in his writing.  Yes, it was a SERENDIPITY that best describes that experience.

 

The past few weeks my life really has had me on a roller coaster ride.  Unfortunately, my quiet time was hit or miss but learning scripture I can carry it with me at all times so no matter how busy I get I can remind myself throughout the day here are a few examples:

 

As you are sipping on that first cup of coffee in the morning (for me it would be my scrumptious heartwarming “TEA”) remember John 4:14 “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Thank the Lord each and every morning and ask he be with you throughout the day.

 

Maybe you are stepping into the shower, brushing your teeth, scrubbing your face or shaving first thing in the morning let these words wash over you 1 John 1:7 “It is his blood that cleanses us from all sin.”

 

Maybe you are caught in rush hour traffic or a facing some challenges, I say this almost daily Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Thank you Lord!

 

As we do our work throughout the day whether in the workplace or home, consider Colossian 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

 

While preparing your meals especially at dinner (a few of my wine lovin friends and family should be happy with this one) – Psalm 104:15 “And wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen a man’s heart”

 

As we lay our head down at night Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Complete sound and deep sleep thank you again precious lord…I can’t do this without you!

 

To me the bible is full of SERENDIPITY moments, times where people were healed from illness, raised from the dead or given direction. We now have the Holy Spirit to help guide us. We just need to make sure our hearts and minds are prepared to be aware and acknowledge the opportunities we are given.

 

As I wrap up this week’s post, how is YOUR “Takin Time Out” going?  Are you making time for YOU and listening to your heart and soul?  Maybe reflect on some recent or long ago SERENDIPITY moments and you will quickly realize what miracles do happen and the blessings we each have to share in this journey of life, remember to write down those SERENDIPITIES that grace your life every day…until next time my dear friends breathe deeply, love generously, praise loudly, and live fully…