I needed to learn a lesson.

 

We all have lessons to learn from time to time and apparently mine for this week was significant. And let me just say it is humbling to realize you don’t have all the answers!

I have spent the last couple of weeks blogging and posting about productivity and rest. Trying to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you. Trying to share some places I have had shortcomings so that maybe someone else won’t have to.

And…

 

Then here I was this week. Amy was out of town so I had a little extra time to myself. I reached out to my coach and said- hey, I have a found myself with a bit of a four-leaf clover- a little extra time this week. These are the things I am thinking about leaning into.

I got a response back. Can you guess what it said?

Hey Eric- what about taking a little time to do something fun this week?  You have been pushing on content and speaking and maybe God wants you to just do something fun and light hearted for a bit.

Wow. There it was.

 

I have been talking about the importance of rest and how we shouldn’t measure everything and how not all time needs to be productive. And I was asking how I could be even more productive.

Am I the only one that had gotten caught in a double standard?  Am I the only one that fails to extend to myself even half the grace I would freely extend to another?  Maybe we are all a little hard on ourselves. I know I am.

I don’t know about you, but I expect so much more out of me than I expect out of others. And that isn’t fair. To me or to others.

So what did I do?

I went for a walk. A really really great prayer walk. And I noticed. So. Many. Things.

And then I watched most of a World Series game. And then I read a book I had been wanting to read.

And you know what?  It was really flippin good.  Really really good.

And now- I am rested and ready to get back after it.

I got my bucket filled.

 

And out of a full bucket I am able to pour into the buckets of others.

I don’t know if any of this resonates with you, but I do know these things- life is better if we take it easier on ourselves. God loves us unconditionally and commands us to love ourselves as his creation. Love God and love others AS we love ourselves. And take a little time to truly recharge. We need it. You need it. I need it.

Love yourself enough to get charged up or recharged so you can impact the world. We are at a point in history where we need to be ready for whatever is next. And that won’t happen if we run ourselves into the ground.

So here’s the challenge- find a little time for something that makes your heart sing. This is an amazing way to #WINtheNOW.

And one last confession…

 

I don’t have nearly all the answers.  And that is ok.  It is actually great.  But I share from my journey.  I hope it is. journey that you can relate to.  One day at a time.  Loving God.  Loving others.  Loving ourselves.

Have a great #sabbath!