They came to me out of nowhere this morning.
Fourteen words.
They were familiar and I wondered where they came from and why they had suddenly popped into my mind, so I Googled them to see if they could be attributed to anyone in particular. I found them credited to Reverend Run, Dolly Parton, and the ever-popular, Anonymous. (If you know the real source of them, please let me know.)
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
I am busy, it’s true. Sometimes I know that I get too caught up in doing but I’ve been consciously trying not to do that this year. So, I’ve been enjoying spending more time in the kitchen trying new recipes and I’ve found a sense of fulfillment in gardening. (Check out my gardening blog to see how I’ve been spending my time recently.)
Ah, but perhaps these home-focused pursuits run the risk of becoming all-consuming as well.
Perhaps these fourteen words were reminding me that I need to be more of a Mary than a Martha.
Perhaps these fourteen words were pointing me to seventeen other words:
“You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” Luke 10:41
Or maybe fifteen other words:
“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41
Do you ever find yourself in the role of a human doing instead of a human being? Surely, I can’t be the only one. How do you maintain that balance, that focus on what is worthy of your attention?
Right now, I am getting by through “doing”–sometimes the “being” still hurts too much. I know I need to seek balance again in my life but I have no idea what that might look like going forward. I’ve always had a Martha complex even when I wanted to be a Mary. I’ve just had a stark reminder of how important it is to spend each day living it to the fullest, but… I am still just so numb. Keep me in your prayers. Love, Sid
Oh Sid. You know you’re in my heart and my prayers. And you are,spot on. We MUST find way to appreciate every moment.
Hugs, my friend.
Linda,
A perfect reminder for a harried day. Thank you for the reminder to be still and soak in the precious moments.
One word: Peace, Linda. Think of all you have accomplished and the culmination of all that in this particular week! Think about that !!!! I do. It’s given me a profound message. Hugs!
What a lovely gentle reminder about what really matters. And such a grogeous photo!
Susan, you are much in my heart and mind during these dark days. You are not forgotten. xxx
This is the first time I have visited your blog and find it very moving. Thank You.
There are so many ways to find the blessings in each day. One is to ask, “What do I have to bring to this day?” rather than asking, “What does this day hold for me?”
Last year I was told I had 3-4 months to live due to pancreatic cancer. Over a year later, as I write my own blog, The Sweet Life: La Dolce Vita, I find that I’m not writing about cancer. Instead, I’m writing about how sweet life is by finding joy in everyday activities and achievements. By doing so, I believe one is living as God meant us to live.
Such a beautiful mystery, isn’t it?