As I've previously mentioned, I am currently reading a book called, "The Resolution for Women". The chapter I'm reading about today is called, Contentment: Every Bite Counts.
In the Author's words, "I'm the type of person, you see, who rushes ahead, who often just goes through the motions of any current activity on my way to the next one", spoke volumes for me. This is something that I do from time to time. Then I wonder why things don't bring me as much joy as I thought they would.
Priscilla Shirer, Author, goes on to mention "My heart, and body too , haven't always been good about sharing the same space. Instead of relishing each moment, each year, each opportunity, each step on the journey, I'm constantly overeager to get to the next thing, which always looks more enticing that what's currently before me. I'm rarely satisfied in full with my present station". These words really hit home for me. How about you?
Priscilla goes on to mention how she, too, hasn't really been in attendance for a large portion of her life. "As teenagers, most of us impatiently rush toward young adulthood full throttle. Then as a single college student, we couldn't wait to be in a committed relationship and out of college so that life could "really begin". Then with a loving mate promised for life, we enjoyed the first years of marriage, but during some of them we secretly harbored discontentment that we do not have children. As the kids starting coming, the nights were long and the days even longer. We'd find ourselves praying through each of these days that bedtime would come sooner than the day before." This was certainly the story of my life, how about yours? As a single Mom, the bedtime theme was very near and dear to my heart because I was absolutely exhausted having a child with ADHD and working full time.
When Priscilla wrote about being present for all those years of life as a student, a wife, a mom -- a woman - and yet there was so little she could really remember, few emotions she could recall that accompanied some of these events in her life. Why? Because she'd been there, but she hadn't really been there. I felt like she had been observing my life and writing about me. Does every women struggle with such things? Is it as hard to admit this for you as it was for me?
As she talks about her 35th year of life coming to a close, it occurred to her that she hadn't engaged fully in that 35th year either. She enjoyed it but never really soaked it in, relished it, cherished it, celebrated it, appreciating it for what it is -- the only 35th year she will ever know. Like an arrow to the heart, I came across her words at the exact moment I needed to hear them. You see, I am in the process of enjoying my 49th year of life and I feel the exact same way. Luckily for me, I came upon her words so I can re-navigate my journey for the last 9 months of this amazing year of life. The only 49th year I will ever have. My chance to fully be the person I am meant to be at this age and in this season. Thank You , Priscilla !
"Another thing to remember during this journey is this is the only time my husband will be exactly like this. Only for a fleeting moment will my children and grand-children talk , look, and act exactly like this. And if I choose to hurry through these moments in an attempt to avoid the parts I don't like, I'd simultaneously miss all the things I did like about this season". Priscilla talks about how rushing through life, we are subtly devaluing those around us and the experiences we are involved in, not appreciating the importance or significant they bring to our life at this very moment, not grasping our responsibilities for holding dear and treating well these gifts God has entrusted to us.
By not embracing who they are, we are quietly communicating that we want them to change and speed up, to get busy being somebody else, someone who's more in line with what we want and need, to hurry along to a place where they could make us happier than they currently do. Always looking toward the next moment, the next month, the next event, rarely allowing myself the privilege of fully participating and embracing the happenings that were right before me for that day.
In this blog you will see that I use many of the authors own words to share with you. They are written so eloquently that I wouldn't want to do them injustice by paraphrasing. This book, The Resolution for Women", is really changing my life for the better and I highly recommend it.
What an amazing gift this has been for me. I'm going to make every attempt to appreciate this season of my life and be present in the moment.
Light, Health, Happiness, and Love to all,
MsPhotoShooter xoxo
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