Stop and just be

My view Jan 10, 2014

It's my story every day.  Get up, get the kids ready for school, welcome daycare kids, take care of them, log onto the computer, pay bills, make appointments, make lunch, change diapers, down for nap....you get the point.  I am constantly racing.  Sometimes, when I am sitting in my chair or laying on the couch "relaxing" I realize my shoulders are still tense or my mind is still thinking about what I have to do.

How often do we stop and just be?  As a part of treatment for my anxiety I have taken to meditating and yoga (although I haven't been very good at it lately) it forces you to just...be.  To concentrate on your breathing and clear your mind.  Having a new puppy has caused me to be racing even more, this time I'm racing to get a puppy outside to go potty.  I've spoke before about how cold it was in Iowa last week, currently we are in the middle of a heat wave, yesterday it was 40 degrees F and the girls and I walked around without a coat on!  But going outside with the puppy while she sniffed around, ate the snow, found sticks to chew on, I found myself taking a deep breath and looking to the sky and horizon.  It hit me, what a wonderful world we live in. I noticed the stars in the sky, the 'Big Dipper', the glow in the Eastern sky from the city lights of Waterloo 25 miles away.  We had a small ice storm Thursday into Friday last week and the ice gathered on the trees.  The sight is something I have always noted and found beautiful but Friday I really took a moment to take in the beauty of what I have in my own backyard, created by God.

How often are we so consumed in our lives that we forget to stop and see what is all around us?  So I challenge you to see the beauty that is right in front of you.  If you are looking for a miracle look right outside your back door.  With all the stress we all have in our lives, take a moment whether in be in your living room, bedroom or, my new favorite, out my back door.  Take a few seconds, take a deep breath and clear your mind.  Forget your 'To do' list and recharge.

How do you recharge?  Did you take my advice how did it make you feel?? Comment below I love to read your comments.