Just Be

So as the adventure continues, becoming angry, stressed out, and overwhelmed are NORMAL.  Yeah, normal!  You are not alone in this crazy whirlwind of a life!  This is a time, just like so many other times, when it is okay to decompress, detox, and de-stress completely!  How can you do that?

Just be.

To just be.  To take a breath, focus on the sounds around you as you close your eyes.

Okay, I realize that not everybody has the privilege of escaping to such a place as this in the spare five minutes of their work lives, school lives, crazy lives, or bizarre lives, but it does help sometimes to at least envision the sights and sounds of a tropical paradise.  Sometimes, though, focusing on what's around us helps, too...

Find that perfect tree that offers shade to a patch of grass in your yard!  Listen intently as its leaves brush against one another and as its branches click together as they touch in the breeze.  Close your eyes and let the sun wash over your face as the shadows of the low-hanging branches flicker across your closed eyelids! Are these not the simple pleasures in life that even entice small children?  Why, yes, they are!

So envisioning a place, taking a deep breath, closing your eyes, and even escaping to a calm, relaxing setting can all make your heart feel light once more!  But there has to be something more!  And there is.  Setting aside time to just talk to God--to just converse with God like He is a friend, for He is just that.  Reading scripture.  Opening a Bible to Psalm 118:24 or Philippians 4:4, both of which are joyful scriptures!  Just taking that precious time to talk with our beautiful Savior--what greater form of love and comfort could be endowed on us?!

I also find sitting in the top of a tree, isolating myself in the beauty of God's creation, reading a book, playing guitar, and worshiping God to be very relaxing and comforting, as well.  To grab Black Jack, my guitar, and run down to the lake outside of the dorm, or to dart into the back yard or to the Greenway when I am at home, brings such a great and curious joy to my heart!  With each strum and pluck of the string, I can see those heart-wrenching burdens floating up to God!  And that in and of itself makes me smile.  A genuine smile.

So just sitting and listening, opening your heart, and focusing your mind.  These all allow a sense of great peace to wash over your soul and spirit!  Even watching your silly, lighthearted pets run around is great therapy for a sickened heart and a weakened spirit!