Are you spending time doing what makes you happy? Or are you just spending time? I invite you to re-evaluate your life and the days in it. There are always seasons in our lives where we have to do things that are unpleasant, or circumstances that obligate our time and energy when we would rather be doing something else. This blog post is not about those seasons. I am talking about the big picture made up of lots of little details…the majority of your days and hours are filled with minutes spent doing WHAT?

Have you ever explored things that really make you happy? The things that put a smile on your face and leave a pleasant memory in your heart.

If you could describe your perfect day, what would it include? Shut your eyes and imagine that day, I’ll wait.

Do you see the faces of loved ones, hear notes being strummed, see colorful art coming to life on raw canvas, can you feel the earth under your fingernails, wet sand in your toes, smell the crackling campfire? Pull out your calendar right now, pick three dates in the next three weeks and schedule to make those things real. Plan your time to do the things and see the people that fill your heart with happiness. Make sure that it is not just idle busyness, I’m not asking you to merely distract you from your burdens and obligations. Begin to truly explore what gives you peace.

One of these dates should include a time of solitude. Go to THAT place. You know, the one that comes to mind when you hear the word solitude. Once you get there, I encourage you to be still and listen. You will likely not be all alone. Listen for the still small voice that will speak to you and guide you. If you’ve never heard it before, you might have not been still long enough.

Stay past the fidgety uncomfortable silence. Stay past the time your mind wanders to your daily to do list. Stay past the rehashing of conversations bouncing in your head. Stay past the time you want to check your phone and text messages. Just be still and wait. The nudge will come that will so quietly and gently direct you to the next step, the answer to the question you’ve been asking will be whispered to your soul.

I have to do this frequently, but really not enough. It keeps me from being overburdened with commitments and worries of life stuff. It makes me a better mom, wife and friend.

Let me know what you plan to do, will ya?