How to Relax...

So today I turned in my project at noon, and silently celebrated...yay! One more semester down...2 more to go...

And then I looked at my afternoon...what was I going to do? There's always been a deadline looming over my head, something to edit, e-mails to respond to, youth to check up on...none of which needed to be done today or this week...I would have a chance to finally relax!!

Then it hit me. How do I relax? I thought about going for a run - too wet outside, well really just too lazy today. I cleaned out some papers - still felt a little stressed. I browsed the Internet for a while - nothing that stimulated my brain. I took a bath - not usual for me, but it works for my roommates. Not so much for me apparently...so I finally gave up and ran some errands.

In the course of the day, I've realized that I really don't know how to relax. I have been going non-stop for so long that to stop takes more will-power than to go. I can't sit still without feeling guilty - like I should be working hard or at least diligently on something. How do I change that mind-set? Some say diet and exercise; others say meditation (I fell asleep during my first yoga class - don't think that would work). I'm really not sure what works for me besides escaping from my crazy world...

This week I went down to South Georgia to surprise Brendan and escape from the crazy ATL. I also got to see my best friend from when we were 4 - so much fun :) Somehow, down there, I found myself relaxed. I didn't need to do anything - it was all at home. I didn't have to solve anyone's problems - they all knew I was MIA for a couple days. I didn't have to return phone calls unless I wanted to. I didn't have to clean. I just had to enjoy the people around me and God's creation in the form of cotton fields and old buildings. However, my world is much different here. It's like coming to a whole new world. The traffic quadruples, the lights and constant messages bombard you as you drive down the road, people cut you off just because they can, you have to be places on time, expectations are high....everything different from the calm or as someone put it, "the serene fields" of South Georgia.

So my battle begins for the next couple of weeks before insanity starts again - how can I relax in the crazy world in which I live?

Gratefulness

It seems wherever I turn these days, there is pain and suffering. However, I often am immune to it. I can open up my e-mail and find a list of prayer requests growing daily, and they are more and more urgent. This person's father passed away, another has a lump on his gland, another lost his job and may lose the house. Even people my age are suffering. One of my friends is struggling to walk, another is depressed, and another is struggling to eat.

When I look at my "problems", they are so insignificant compared to the rest of the world. I live in a great apartment that keeps me dry and warm, and has all the amenities that I would ever need. I am blessed to have family who are healthy and doing well. I have friends wherever I turn, and places to go visit. I have financial support to help me pay for the bills. I have a car that may be old and have weird quirks, but gets me from Point A to Point B. Above all, I have a God that loves me unconditionally.

I have to stop and wonder, am I really grateful? Sure I thank Him daily, but do I really understand how blessed I am?

Though I may not have the same means as I did last year, I really truly am SO blessed. No, my life does not make sense all the time, but I don't think it ever will. The only true thing in my life will always be my Savior.

I hope that this season will be great in that you will see just how much you have, and the many things our God offers us for free.