I thought the “battery low”
symbol on my camera would allow me several more photos. Suddenly in the middle
of framing a new picture, all goes black replaced by the outline of a battery
with the words: BATTERY EMPTY. I had to
shut down and let it recharge a little before I attempted anymore photos. A
little later I made several more attempts only to snap one photo before I saw
those ominous words once again and I had to shut down. The irony is that last
evening I saw my charger sitting there and heard my head say, “Recharge the
Battery, NOW”. I figured I had plenty of time to do it later.
I wonder how many times the
Spirit has tried to get my attention telling me that my body’s battery is low
and needs recharging. Yet, I keep going and doing all the work that needs to be
done. I have an endless “Downsizing to Do List” at home. I have a “Fiscal New
Year to Do List” at my office. I squeezed in a “Packing for Vacation to Do
List” to get ourselves out-of-town for a week.
I also scheduled a doctor’s
appointment to check my knee before doing more damage with hiking while on
vacation. I was diagnosed with Patellofemoral Syndrome more commonly called
Runner’s Knee. Apparently, I did too much on the treadmill and my body said: STOP! I thought I was strengthening my body by
learning to practice Interval Training under the guidance of my personal
trainer at the YMCA. It will take weeks to finally heal from this latest
setback while I find it painful to walk up and down stairs or even to get up
from a chair.
Ironically, this diagnosis made
me realize I had no margin left to deal with one more … anything! I had no
patience or emotional stamina but I had to keep going as vacation was still ten
days away. My battery was EMPTY!
Well, vacation is almost over. I
am feeling like my calendar is overflowing and the To Do lists growing
exponentially. I need to figure out how to recharge my battery while in the
midst of living life. One doesn’t always have the luxury of stopping the
unending treadmill of things that need doing. So how can I know what is needed to
recharge my batteries when the To Do lists keep expanding?
As I sat on the rocky point with
the water gently lapping ten feet below, I sensed the Spirit gently remind me
of various ideas that help to recharge my battery. May these spark some ideas
of your own?- Centering Prayer – basking in the silence as the Truth and Peace seep into my mind and soul
- Knit/Crochet – the rhythm of this craft focuses my mind on something creative
- Movies/Plays – entertainment is a great treat for a weary mind
- Novels – reading favorite authors and finding new ones puts me in awe of God’s creativity
- Poetry – slowly reading a poem – God’s creativity soothes through rhyme and rhythm
- Napping – great way to refresh oneself during a busy week
- Outdoors time – recharge with solar power on a walk or in a garden
- Play more often
Play more often? How does one
play? I could choose one of these ideas. Nevertheless, spontaneity has to be a
part of play. How can I allow more spontaneity?
INVITATION: Anyone want to join me at the park for a time on the swing set?
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