"Takin' Time Out"

 

Definition:  A case with a handle and a hinged lid, used for carrying clothes or other personal possessions.

 

Ok my friends you might find this to be a rather odd topic or word for the week.  I just ask that you please bare with me as my creative mind and inner soul wants to enlarge your vision and give you a little something to think about.

 

Before starting this weekly blog and in my planning stages I sat down and put over one hundred words down on a piece of paper of potential topics I could write about, however as each week comes around different encounters or situations arise and sometimes I have deviated from that list.  This week is one of them.  As I have shared my words of the year and a few weeks ago I wrote about Awareness being this year’s word.  I am becoming more in tune with circumstances, situations, maybe the Holy Spirit at work and really embracing my whereabouts. 

 

The next few weeks I will be living out of my SUITCASE, I have several business trips planned for work.  I always like to be prepared and this time of year brings a few challenges as you are never quite sure what the weather is going to be like, in Texas this month alone we have had freezing icy temperatures, to this week being in the upper 70’s gotta love Texas.  However, I am going to the East coast for a few days in the my whirl wind tour of West Texas and New Mexico…I know from growing up on the ranch that North wind can hit at any moment and you can easily have a late winter snowstorm but I am hoping for more temperatures in the 70’s as this year seemed to be a very unusually cold winter and my body requires sunshine and warmer weather!  My cousin gave me these fancy E-Bags packing cubes and boy are they handy and maximize my space; I encourage you to check them out at www.ebags.com for anyone who travels allot.  It makes you pack like a neat freak even if you aren’t one. I get so excited when packing my SUITCASE now!  Thanks cuz…

 

Before heading to the airport, my biggest challenge is keeping my SUITCASE weight under 50 lbs so I won’t have to pay more.  Personally, I think in the winter they should allow you up to 75 lbs as my bulky sweaters and coats weigh more. LOL!  I will say after 9/11 travel to me was forever changed especially going through the airport.  I love to people watch, you can recognize the experience traveler, to the moderate ones and then there are those that seem to be a first timer.  My heart especially goes out to those with small children, packing their SUITCASE with formula, diapers, snacks, favorite toy and blanket, change of clothes and they usually have a car seat, stroller and several other items.  Then you have to deal with crowds, waiting in line and being restricted or confined…Whew makes me tired just thinking about it.  Oh and are you one of those people as they walk on the plane worry with the anticipation they may have to sit next to you?  Yes, are you going to be faced with a crying or hyper active child?  Or do you embrace the situation and try to help that weary traveling parent?  Just a random thought…  

 

How about YOU?  Do you have any business or better yet vacations planned?  It is so much fun to get ready for vacation, packing your SUITCASE is a treat because of the anticipation of going somewhere you have never been or perhaps you go back to your favorite spot year after year.  “Takin Time Out” is sooo important to the feeding of your soul and renewing your spirit!  I hope you have plans to go somewhere in the near future.

 

As I am sipping on my favorite cup of Zen Green Tea, relaxing and “Takin Time Out,” making notes of all the things I need to do before packing my SUITCASE and getting ready to leave.  I stop and pause while saying a prayer for safety, good health and God’s grace.  He gently reminds me through his word in Psalm 91:11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”  This brings me comfort, no matter the circumstances, my additional prayer and reflection this week is found in Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you.  Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”  This week I know I will be facing some challenges and possible opposition in my daily dealings with people but through Christ he gives me wisdom and strength to endure.  Thank you Lord, Amen…

 

I have a passion for reading uplifting, positive and motivation quotes, articles and books.  This week on a Facebook post there was this SUITCASE sitting in the middle of a country road and it caught my eye.  Not only did the picture bring the initial attraction but the story or post behind it even resonated more.  I would like to share this as we end:

.

– What do you have in that suitcase? the man asked.
– God answered: Your belongings.
– My belongings? you mean my things, my clothes, my money?
-God answered: Those things were not yours they belonged to the earth.

– Is it my memories? the man asked.
-God answered: those never belonged to you they belonged to Time

– Is it my talents?
-God answered: those were never yours they belonged to the circumstances.

– Is it my friends and family?
-God answered: I’m sorry they were never yours they belonged to the path.

– Is it my wife and son?
– God answered: They were never yours the belonged to your heart.

– Is it my body?
– God answered: that was never yours it belonged to the dust.

-Is it my soul?
God answered: No that is mine.

Full of fear, the man took the suitcase from god and opened it just to find out the suitcase was empty.
– With a tear coming down his cheek the man said: I never had anything???
-God answered: that is correct, every moment you lived were only yours. Life is just a moment. a moment that belongs to you. For this reason enjoy this time while you have it. Don’t let anything that you think you own stop you from doing so.
-Live Now
-Live your life
– Don’t forget to be happy, that is the only thing that matters.
– Material things and everything else that you fought for stay here.
-YOU CAN’T TAKE ANYTHING

Share this reflection with anyone you love or appreciate. Enjoy every second you live.

WOW, do you have chill bumps or a little tear swell up in the corner of your eye?  It did mine not sure if it has to do with the winter blues or I like to think of it as a reality check. 

Sooo what’s in your SUITCASE?  How have you packed your bags are there some things you might need to change or get rid of?  Maybe you should add a few things or is it full of heavy burdens?  It’s not too late to pause or hit the reset button or maybe repack your bags altogether.  While “Takin Time Out” this week I encourage you to reflect…are you living in the moment or planning too much for the future or has the past just left open wounds or scares that can’t let you move on?  I suggest you open that SUITCASE and commit to change or better yet, grab another SUITCASE maybe one that is lightweight with those cool fancy rotating wheels that allow you to make shifts and changes as you drag it down the path of life!

Until next time my friends, let’s repack those bags…lighten our load…breathe a little deeper one of those deep belly breathes slowly inhaling and holding then releasing it out even slower…Time on this earth is so short…make sure you are living, laughing, loving, a leave a positive lasting impression on those we love most…Have a terrific week…

QUOTES:

Anyone who needs more than one suitcase is a tourist, not a traveler” Ira Levin, Rosemary’s Baby!