Grounded

I go to sleep thinking about details for the next day. I wake up making to-do lists in my head. I multi-task constantly (even as I’m writing this, I popped out to check email, Facebook, look at my phone and go to the bathroom–okay, that last one is kinda necessary and maybe an overshare). But seriously, I can’t remember the last time I just sat still and did or thought about 

just

one

thing.  

This week I find myself with an opportunity to slow down. I am staying with a sweet young woman and her three pups in their beautiful home, and it has been an incredible respite and blessing to me already. Honestly, I was a bit anxious at first about being away from home and breaking my routine. But I am quickly coming to the realization that my routine was starting to control me. 

For some reason, I put a tremendous amount of value on productivity. I ascribe to this idea that the more I do, the more successful I am. I have been known to add things to my list even after they are completed simply because it satisfies this need to be productive. Where does this come from? Society? My own neuroses? I googled the question, “how do we determine productivity as women?” and found this nugget: 

Productivity can be defined in many ways for women, as it is deeply intertwined with their individual values, goals, and priorities. For example, The Productive Woman defines a productive woman as someone who maximizes their positive impact on the world around them by ordering their life in a certain way. Others define productivity as producing the most value for the time or cost invested.

(source: generative AI)

I find so many of those words comforting: ordering, producing, maximizing…but the phrase “impact on the world around them” is standing out to me this morning. What influence do I want to have on the world and those around me? Do I want to view them as items to be checked off a list? Do I want to be so distracted by other tasks that I can’t be in the moment with a friend or person in need, or most importantly, my LORD and Savior? Absolutely not, but the pull is strong and the struggle is real. 

I’d like to share my resolve with you, in hopes that it will help you in finding your own path toward grounding yourself in what is truly important. 

1. I will set aside intentional time for prayer and reflection. For me this is helpful in the morning before my day gets busy, but I also strive to build it in during the day to keep my focus on what God has in store for me, not simply what I’ve determined is important (reminds me of a favorite Scripture: Man proposes, but God disposes. Proverbs 19:21)

2. I will reduce distractions in order to focus on a task, especially when that is time with important people. My phone has become a major obsession for me, so I am working to physically leave it in another room to avoid the temptation. I made it about ten minutes this morning. Baby steps!

3. I will let things go. This is a tough one–somehow I have acquired this feeling of failure when things don’t get done. Last week I had to assure myself (this is okay if you just pretend you are talking to the pets) that it was fine for me to leave clean laundry unfolded and my bed unmade. The world was not going to end and, in fact, no one cares!!!! And guess what? The world didn’t end and no one cared. Including my pets 😛

Friends, today I give myself, and all of you, permission to ground ourselves. Whatever that looks like for you, I pray you find freedom in it. “Less is more,” right? Interestingly, this phrase originated as a reference to architecture–sorry, random fact that distracted me–ironically! Embrace the opportunity to slow down and let me know how it goes. 

Love and blessings.