It's The Simple Things
I haven't been blogging much as of late. As much as I love the power, potential and pleasure that the Internet can offer I've been taking a subconscious time out from being online all the time. There is so much more to this life that we are living than sitting alone at home chatting with other people doing the very same thing. No offense.
Or maybe you should be offended. I mean, usually when we're offended by something it means that we have baggage that needs to be unpacked. Stuff we've been holding onto as sacred. And secure. But it's not really either of those things.
Tonight I had a strong urge to go for a walk in the rain. What a wonderful thing to do. Listening to the small raindrops hitting the top of my umbrella. Admiring front yard gardens that people are loving and caring for on a daily basis. The smell of a BBQ on a porch full of friends awaiting a burger or two. Saying hello to a neighborhood kid that calls me by name. Watching a young mom lift her son's stroller up the front steps after an evening walk. Sensing the presence of God in the world around me.
Stop!
Forget the dust in your house. It can wait.
Take a day off from work. They'll get over it. Besides, you probably have a day coming.
Don't login to Facebook for a week. Or a month. Life will go on without you having to know what 256 people on your friends list (that you hardly know) are doing every second of the day.
Go to the park and look at the flowers. Admire God's creation and be reminded of just how awesome God is.
Spend time at the library. Borrow a new book. Or pick up an old book that you loved the first time you read it and read it again.
Listen to an old CD that's been collecting dust on a shelf in your bedroom.
Sit and watch a baseball game at the park in your neighborhood. What difference does it matter that the kids playing are seven and have never swung a bat before?! Enjoy their experience!
Dust off that bicycle, grab your helmet and ride, ride, ride.
Or go for a walk in the rain.
And for goodness sake, turn off the darn TV. Step away. (Go ahead, you can do it.)
After all, it's really the simple things in life that matter.
Or maybe you should be offended. I mean, usually when we're offended by something it means that we have baggage that needs to be unpacked. Stuff we've been holding onto as sacred. And secure. But it's not really either of those things.
Tonight I had a strong urge to go for a walk in the rain. What a wonderful thing to do. Listening to the small raindrops hitting the top of my umbrella. Admiring front yard gardens that people are loving and caring for on a daily basis. The smell of a BBQ on a porch full of friends awaiting a burger or two. Saying hello to a neighborhood kid that calls me by name. Watching a young mom lift her son's stroller up the front steps after an evening walk. Sensing the presence of God in the world around me.
"I remember how I used to want it all... funny now the big things seem so small..." [ Amy Grant | Simple Things ]
Stop!
Forget the dust in your house. It can wait.
Take a day off from work. They'll get over it. Besides, you probably have a day coming.
Don't login to Facebook for a week. Or a month. Life will go on without you having to know what 256 people on your friends list (that you hardly know) are doing every second of the day.
Go to the park and look at the flowers. Admire God's creation and be reminded of just how awesome God is.
Spend time at the library. Borrow a new book. Or pick up an old book that you loved the first time you read it and read it again.
Listen to an old CD that's been collecting dust on a shelf in your bedroom.
Sit and watch a baseball game at the park in your neighborhood. What difference does it matter that the kids playing are seven and have never swung a bat before?! Enjoy their experience!
Dust off that bicycle, grab your helmet and ride, ride, ride.
Or go for a walk in the rain.
And for goodness sake, turn off the darn TV. Step away. (Go ahead, you can do it.)
After all, it's really the simple things in life that matter.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 9:06 PM.
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10:54 PMI've definitely not been as "connected" since living on my own (I have no tv and no permanent internet). It's not as missed as I thought it would be. I'm still trying to find things to do with my time by myself tho!
2:12 PM
i would recommend walking without the umbrella...
7:56 PM
Time does go in to warp speed when one is on the internet. It really is quite amazing.
but
'There is so much more to this life that we are living than sitting alone at home chatting with other people doing the very same thing.'
Who does this ... are they very lonely people who don't have responsibilities to family and friends ????
12:13 AM
What if I read about 14 hours a week, and blog 8 to 9 hours too? Which I do. But I do take time out for my kids.
12:49 AM
Nate, I don't think that blogging or reading is the issue at hand. Anything can be good or bad. This post is more about stepping back once in awhile to make sure we're not missing anything. Especially the important things.
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