{Five Minute Friday | Free Write}
It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try! Find out how here.
Today is a Free Write. We get to choose our own prompt, but the same rules apply.
Ready? Go.
Space. S P A C E. There, that's better.
I'm learning to create space in my life. Somewhere along the way, I learned that things lose their meaning and I lose my effectiveness when my life is overcrowded. The important things and people are overlooked while the unimportant things scream for our attention and time. Those unimportant things win far too often. Any one else?
Creating space means figuring out when to say 'yes' or no' and who to say 'yes' or 'no' to. It means being willing to walk away from some thing or someone or some place when it's time. It's about boundaries, both establishing them and respecting them. Not everything or everyone gets to claim space in my heart and mind. Read that again, because it's a game changer. I am so grateful that this is true.
Here are a few reasons I am reclaiming S P A C E in my life.
1. Space creates room to breathe. You know, time to stop and re-set. Breathe in. Breathe out. Pause. Having that room to breathe goes a long way toward my sanity. Which, by the way, most days is questionable!
2. Space creates room for give-and-take. I'm learning to see what's right in front of me and I am learning to find the value in those unplanned, unexpected moments. I'm not saying I throw my calendar or schedule out the window. But, there are days when I recognize that I need to adjust. So, I do. And, it's ok. Nothing is ruined, wasted, or otherwise lost. Sometimes in the space of unplanned, unexpected moments are the most beautiful God-moments. And sometimes, in the space of unplanned, unexpected moments we make the BEST memories. I'll take that.
3. Space creates room for creativity. When my life is overcrowded, it's safe to say my heart and mind are also overcrowded. When that happens, God-given creativity lies dormant and buried. That's never what I want. I need that creativity for those days when parenting requires a creative solution or when a shoestring budget threatens to ruin Christmas.
4. Space creates room for rest. Exhaustion is not meant to be a constant state of existence. We aren't wired to sustain break-neck speed as we scurry through our days, head down. But that's what we do. Busy has become a badge of honor that we proudly wear. It makes us feel important. It makes us feel needed. But, when we live life exhausted nothing we touch gets our very best. Everything suffers even if just the tiniest bit. Sometimes, we leave a trail of a hot mess behind us. Here's the thing. My ability to rest is tied to my ability to trust that God really IS in control. So go on, take a rest.
My life is far from perfect. My house is a mess. My kids are a mess. We have $1.43 in our checking account. We don't always get it right. But, making space for the things I'm talking about means that when life shines that blasted spot light on all my imperfections, it's ok. You know why? Because there's space for that too.
STOP.