Monday, February 1, 2010

Just Breathe

I actually need to remind myself to do that sometimes. Slow down. Inhale. Now, exhale (sometimes I need to remind myself to do that, too).

It has been a marathon week/weekend. We had midterms last week (for English teachers, it is the week from Satan. Our NYS comprehensive test for juniors is actually a six-hour test. Yes, you heard me right. S.I.X. H.O.U.R.S. Absolutely ridiculous). Anyway, we also closed on our house last week, had to clean out James' apartment and then start moving him into the house.

Phone calls to get the water turned on, the electric turned on, the cable turned on (Optimum-Triple-Play, baby!), the old phone turned off, the oil delivered. Running around to move furniture, shop for furniture, transport furniture...running to the store to get cleaning supplies, extension cords, groceries - and trying to feed ourselves in the process (I am so over take-out!).

Whew! Deep breath - in...out...

Running to church for Christian Education Sunday (I would have been so tempted to skip if not for that! But teachers needed to be there), few more grading of midterms over the weekend, and it was back to work today.

I am s.h.o.t.

The blessings of God to us during this are truly overwhelming - truly - , but you want to know what the sad part is? I keep finding myself saying, "I can't wait until all this is over."

Is that terrible?

This is such an exciting time of my life...really, it is...but it feels overwhelming, exhausting...it feels like a lot. I am trying to savor all of these wonderful things, but I am wondering if I can even keep up. I cross one thing off my mental list, and three others pop up in its place.

So, that's why I need to remind myself to just breathe. In. Out. It is going by so fast, and I don't want to miss it.

Be in the moment. One thing, one step, one breath at a time.

I remember reading a book by John Ortberg [God is Closer Than You Think], and he posed the question (I am paraphrasing and I hope I'm not butchering it):

"What is the greatest moment of your life?"

After such a leading question, he goes on to say that right now, this very moment, is the greatest moment of your life, because it is the only moment you have. That's it. Right now. So, right now is it...it is what I make of it. Will it be great, or will I wish it away? What a waste of a potentially great moment.

So, with all that is up and coming, I am going to try to just breathe. Take each moment as it comes. And try to experience each moment as the greatest moment of my life.

Just breathe. It will be OK. It might even be great.

8 comments:

  1. You will get through it all! In one piece also! And it WILL be great. Congratulations! I love the quote. I have to remind myself of the same from time to time. BTW- Your blog is absolutely beautiful.

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  2. You are not terrible! changes (even good ones) can always be overwhelming.. and exhausting! But you will go through it and one day you'll look back and you'll see is so far behind you and you'll see it wasn't so bad!

    When my baby was just born I couldn't believe all the work it was! all those nights awake! she is only 17 mo. now and I can't believe I sleep the whole night! I miss her!!! sometimes I find myself getting up going to her crib to just look at her! where is my little baby? How did that pass so fast? It was tiring but now I think that I really loved holding her when nobody was around... in the dark... I do love my sleep though! and I am happy she sleeps through the night... but.... now I know it wasn't that bad and that it is very true when they say "This too shall pass"

    Hugs!

    Paloma.

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  3. Oh yes. These are the words I try to live by. Slow down and just breathe. Take a few moments for yourself each day, no matter when, but make sure you get them. We need to live in the moment more & try to keep ourselves from saying "I can't wait for ..." or "I can't wait until this is over with", etc. Because then 'it' comes & goes & then what are we left with but frustrated anxious memories if we don't savor it!

    So I give you this:

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

    Blessings~~~

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  4. I know how you feel...Try Psalm 139 and Luke 12:22

    http://discoverystreet.blogspot.com/search/label/worry

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  5. You are so right! Take it all in and enjoy the good stuff, and try not to focus too much on the hassles of everyday life. I left you something on my blog today lady :)

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  6. You can do it!! Weddings are crazy, and sometimes your whole week can be, but it will get better I know! :)

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  7. I love how you said it will be okay, and maybe even great. It's awesome how God surprises us with the way things turn out.

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  8. "Right now is your greatest moment."

    Wow. Profound. Thank you for sharing that. If I ever start to feel overwhelmed, I know what my mantra's going to be!

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