Taking Time Out In The Journey Called Life

It is important and valuable to slow things down and take the time to rest and soak in life. The energy and renewal that slowing down can give us is so vital in many areas of our lives. Yet as much as rest, relaxation, and taking a "time out" in life are important it can be hazardous if we take that "time out" for too long. If we step away from life altogether or for long periods of time, then sometimes the hazard is in being afraid to step back in it again.

If we are away from being social with others for too long of a time frame, it is more than uncomfortable to find our way back into those relations again. If we don't ever travel and participate in life or impacting other people's lives, it is too easy to say that we can't do it, or that the lifestyle just isn't for us.

We get too comfortable.

And that is a very different problem than just needing some time to replenish our souls amidst a busy society. We get in a rut and learn to lean on our own isolated comforts instead of going out and living life and letting that "living" breathe its own life back into our hearts.

Everyone has a purpose here on earth, but if we let our fears of rejection, of not being good enough for something or whatever it might be get in the way of our throwing ourselves into living life, then we are simply victims of that fear.

Living in fear is simply not living.

Taking the time to slow down our lives is important, but it has its time and its place. Being involved in life and in impacting other people's lives has a very real place too. That can't be done if we don't interact with others or allow ourselves to take part in opportunities that sometimes may throw us in new and uncertain situations.

We will find that when we take some risks in life, if those risks are what we sense God leading us in, we will get just as much energy as if we took "time out" from life. It's just a different kind of fire that lights inside of us; yet every bit as important.

Make sure that you aren't simply sitting around dreaming, but that you are actually going out there and living. There are opportunities everywhere and God can use you—now. Don't let the fear, doubt or disbelief keep you out of the journey called life.

Everything in life is a choice—are we choosing the best ?

Everything in life is a choice—are we choosing the best?

There are many choices for every situation or issue that we face daily, and some days it seems everything goes well; people help us, the details of events/projects fall into place, outcomes and rewards are visible. However, there are days though, when everything seems to be up hill or full of under-currents.

Even so, we need to recognize that we do have choices to make whether our day is going according to our plan or we find that we are faced with unexpected happenings. It is vital that we learn to be truly in our unique flow regardless of what is taking place around us or even how far off basis our plans have become.

We have to continue to be ourselves no matter what the given situation and be flexible with our plans in order to still be effective and make choices that are suitable. A few points to keep in mind that will aid us in such situations or issues in our daily living are described as being:

• Consistent

• Contemplative

• Decisive

• Determined

• Focused

• Introspective

• Organized

• Persistent

There is strength in these characteristics as we make choices and when we fail to take ownership of our choice we generally berate ourselves over past deeds, perceived mistakes and experiences, and that stops the flow of creativity and forward movement in our lives.

Another point to consider is to forgive ourselves for any perceived short comings or lack, misdeeds, and mistakes—none of which, we can change no matter how much we berate ourselves.

If we would like to live in the ebb and flow of our lives, we have to learn to live in the moment and make choices that are suitable, knowing that other influences will be going on all around us, but it doesn't mean that they will dictate how, when, and if we respond.

Many people are afraid to take ownership of their choices because they feel that their choices are not credible, important, or in the end will be wrong. The opposite is true and our choices in life do count each and every moment of the day.

Making choices does not have to be complicated or long and drawn out (some situations and issues that pertain to life do require a longer time frame), but we have to learn to become comfortable with the choices we do make and stick to them with full confidence that we have made the best choice at the time, with the ultimate leading of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit within us.

Lastly, but most certainly not least, is that we do need to base all choices we make on what God is leading us in and what the Holy Spirit is directing us in, no matter what others are sayings or what is going on around us—in the end it is between us and God.