Dear Quiet

The past couple of days, I’ve been asking myself how I should be living my days. It’s so easy to go on autopilot and let the hours slip by, the days go in a rush, then suddenly it’s mid-month. Not in July like you assumed but in September.

Do you know the feeling? If you do, try what I did. Snap your fingers in front of your eyes a couple times. Say, “Hey! Wake up! Time to live life. This isn’t a dress rehearsal.” Haha Maybe not literally.

To begin my change for the better, I started my morning with coffee (of course!!) and reading my Bible. I made it simple: I prayed, then I started reading where I left off yesterday in 1 Corinthians.

Here is the verse that I read:

Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things
should not be absorbed by their weeping
or their joy or their possessions.
Those who use the things of the world
should not become attached to them.
For this world as we know it
will soon pass away.
1 Corinthians 7:30-31 NLT

I’ll add that “For this world as we know it will soon pass away,” to me doesn’t refer to end times. To me, it refers to the shortness and quickness of life. Do you ever hear a 70 year old say, “Whoa. That took SO LONG”? No, they say, “Life went by so fast…”

That being said: this verse hit me straight to the heart. I don’t say this in a spooky or superstitious way, but it just so happens that this verse is exactly what I needed today. It describes what I’ve been going through to a T.

The past month or so, I went through all those things mentioned. I was absorbed in my own joy (hedonistic fun), then reached the depths of despair (grief), and then I became absorbed with organizing and decluttering body sprays. I had way too many from past birthdays.

One thing or another was taking up my full attention. Meanwhile, I have a whole family in front of me. I have a wonderful husband, a great kid, and a beautiful home. Like Megyn Kelly has said, “What matters most in life is within 15 feet of you.” Everything else is a distraction. Everything else is not top priority.

This verse was a reminder not to get so attached to the things that, ultimately, don’t matter in life. Not that joy or grief don’t matter, but it’s the dwelling on them that makes them unhealthy. It’s the “I’m going to park here for weeks” that brings me harm.

I’m inspired today to seek balance, between what I enjoy on my free time and enjoying time with my family. Balance between the very real raw emotions I felt this past week, and the overcoming of those sad emotions. Balance and harmony. That’s the goal in this life that goes by so fast. That’s my goal for today.

I mean, also in the days ahead, but it’s so much better to take it one step (one day) at a time.

Dear Quiet