This may be my favorite chapter in this book. Do I say that every week? Carol’s practical insights and helpful suggestions hit the mark for me. As you prayerfully study this week, ask God for understanding into the motivations that drive you.
This morning, a friend wrote these words on her blog: “I’m feeling like I’m out of balance with my personal, work and spiritual life. It seems that at least once a year I come to this place. This place where, even though I didn’t plan it, all the things in my life converge and I try to be in four places at once. Then, I step back, take a look at my lack of exercise, poor eating habits, restless and nightmare-filled sleep and try to rein it all in again.” Do you identify with her words? Well, take heart—this chapter gives us an opportunity to take a “time out” and examine why we get in these places and how we might get out.
Would you please post your answers to questions 7, 8 and 9 this week? Thanks. I’m looking forward to your comments.
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Well--my fellow readers are struggling a bit to keep up with this study and they are in my thoughts and prayers. While I hope they can catch up, I'll go ahead and share my thoughts to our readings.
I thought question 5 was funny--in an ironic way. Of course nice people act and feel in negative ways. We're not perfect though we may continue to be nice to our grave. I think that is something I struggle with. Under pressure I will be nice to the world and short with myself and those I love most. I can get irritable, I will sacrifice care for myself, and I will get to the point where I feel I can't do anything right and want to quit. This doesn't happen as much now as it used to when I had kids at home. Somehow, I'm able to pace myself a bit better--but still I have to make some wise and sometimes difficult choices to make that happen.
#7 Besides being irritable and cutting out important self-care practices, I also begin to experience more pain and tiredness, worry and restlessness. The sense of peace is gone when I'm scrambling to do it all. I lose my footing and feeling like I'm grasping with my toes to stand up straight and tall.
#8 Laughing and playing ranked the lowest on my self assessment and then came respecting limits, sharing with a support system and being gentle with myself. We may move in the next year and, though I know it will take awhile, I hope I can find a local support system--friends I can laugh, play with, share and pray with. I'm so very thankful for my long-distance friends. These are the treasures of my heart that I hope to keep forever.
#9 Right now I recognize an area of self-care that needs attention is.... community--that group I described above. I also need to pull away from work/my computer and spend time reading and connecting with others.
I'm looking forward to sharing our map with each other next week. I can see lots of areas for growth--but the outlook is hopeful for me. When I answered 11/c I said that I think God expects me to live in today and walk with Him. That's it. Please dear God teach me what that looks like today.
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