few days ago, I wrote a post on how comparison steals our happiness. Each time we compare ourselves to someone else, we lose our contentment with life. We no longer are happy with what we own, who we are, our family, or what purpose God has given us. The grass looks greener on the other side.
Comparison is so damaging not only to our own self-care but also the self-care of those around us. We live in a society where we are over busy, stressed to our limits, getting too little sleep, and trying to meet deadlines that are on the verge of impossible, all of the time. Because we are so busy, and feel that it isn’t ok to say, “NO” we are losing focus of what are purpose is, if we even know what our purpose is at all.
I believe that God put us here for a purpose! What is your purpose? No idea? What are your goals and dreams? What do you love to do and what do you hate to do? Who needs you and who do you need? What are your long-term goals and at the end of your life, what do you not want to regret? All of these can help you find your purpose!
We need purpose and direction and to focus on something that is bigger than just you and I. But how can we even think about our purpose, let alone live it in a nonstop society that we live in?
One way to start living your purpose is to slow down! We need to put a stop to the chaos and actually live our lives. In order to do that we may have to say no to extra activities, give up some activities, turn off the television or get rid of clutter! I don’t know about you but I have been so busy lately that I have felt rushed to pray! It’s ridiculous and wrong and sad! When I’m rushed, I’m stressed out, my family is stressed out, and life gets chaotic and not fun.
What would happen if we said no to the next request someone asked us to do without excuses? What would happen if we took our to-do list and crossed off several items without ever completing them or adding them back in? What would happen if you asked for help with something stressing you out? Would you possibly have some extra time to focus on your purpose? What would you do with an extra hour of time or even better yet an entire weekend?
When we have time to pray, meditate and relax, we can actually think about our purpose for this season of our lives.
Are you so busy making a life that you are forgetting to LIVE your life?
Maybe you are a mom with small children who want to spend time blowing bubbles and reading book or are newly married and want to spend some time with your husband. Maybe you are a woman who would love to travel, spend a sisters weekend together or go antiquing with a childhood friend!
Unless you are intentional with your time and purpose, you will never experience those wonderful experiences listed above. It’s hard to say no and it’s hard to slow down when you are running full speed all the time!
Here are a few easy ideas that you could try to slow down:
- Turn off the computer! Have you ever thought about how many minutes you spend each day on Facebook and social media alone?
- Turn your phone on silent for a few hours. You will be able to ignore all of the email alerts and texts for a short period of time!
- Stay home!
- Plan free time on your calendar and stick to it! Even if it’s 30 minutes, it is a start!
- Play with a pet!
- Schedule a nap!
- Next time you go to the store buy only what you NEED instead of what you want! By buying your needs instead of wants you will have less clutter to take up your time.
I want not only to live my life but also for all of you to live your own life instead of being controlled by our schedules. What is your best tip to slow down and live an intentional life?
Great tips for simplifying one’s life. Many do find it hard to be a “Mary” in a “Martha” world.
This is great stuff….. we need to keep evaluating to see what needs to be cut out of our schedule or life so that we can accomplish what God wants us to. It is so easy to get caught up in the “tyranny of the urgent” and forget the bigger purposes. Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
Our pastor has been teaching a series on “what is your purpose?” This post goes hand-in-hand with his lessons! God is saying something! Somewhat related, I saw a quote I really liked in a blog by Tom Ryan: “Our life is what we do when we’re not posting on social media.”
The frenzy on social media to be “friended”, “Retweeted”, “Followed”, etc. can become overwhelming and plainly, JUST TOO MUCH.
What is my purpose? Today, what can I do to glorify God and bring Him honor?
Great post and I am dropping by from Word Filled Wednesday.
Love this, Susan! Thank you for sharing and I agree about the social media…it is ALL TOO MUCH 🙂 Thanks visiting!
I absolutely LOVE your heading about whether we are too busy making a life, that we are forgetting to LIVE it! So true. Thanks for this post today, I really got a lot out of it, and may even turn off my phone for a few hours today! Thanks!! Blessings. visiting from Considering Grace through Thrive @ Home Thursdays!
Thank you! I put that on a sticky note for my refrigerator so I can be intentionally present 🙂
Great post! Thanks for linking up at somuchathome.blogspot.com I am glad I found you blog. Come back and visit me soon. I have link-ups each Wednesday.
God bless,
Chris
This was such a good post. So many good reasons to slow down and how to do it.