Feeling Full

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

- 2 Tim. 1:7

There is a difference between “full” and "hectic.” For me, a “full” day includes intentional rhythms planned out the evening before (exercise, breakfast prep, 15 minutes of prayerful morning stillness, wipe down bathrooms, one load of laundry, schedule carpet cleaning, make a grocery list, host zoom call, work on blog post, prep for support group meeting at 5:30, put out leftover white chicken chili for dinner). A preplanned schedule protects me from decision fatigue, prevents aimlessness and impulsiveness (phone scrolling, online shopping, mindless snacking, etc.), elevates my mood by feeling productive, and really cuts down on overthinking. I love it when my days feel FULL and fruitful, and I've invested in my physical, spiritual, and mental health. 

To me “hectic” means fewer routines and more tangents, where I somehow feel crazy busy and yet behind. I exhaust myself by reacting to my circumstances and interruptions rather than responding with prayer and patience.  It is sustained stress, perfectionism, unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms, and the inability to access calm or see/hear my neighbor (family member, co-worker, fellow parishioner, etc) in the present moment. 

I treat each new day with reverence when I make room for healing habits, invite Christ into every moment and decision, and set my intention to embody light, inner stability, and hope. Fullness requires simplicity (fewer possessions, distractions, news updates, commitments, toxins, etc.) and a leap of faith that God is actively working all things out for good. 

I want to BE in this day, instead of rushing through or squandering it. 

I must slow down…

to hear the Holy Spirit’s guidance

to prepare nourishing meals

to actively listen and seek to understand

to marvel at beauty and contemplate my blessings

to create, set goals, and embrace my current season of life