Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A Fall respite

Today I met with Dan at Sonrise to talk about how Small Group Ministry works - and doesn't. It was so much fun to work with someone who is excited about it, too. I found myself repeatedly getting passionate about a result or a process or a book, and realizing that I might stop and breath for a minute.

After the meeting, I had lunch at a family owned Mexican Restaurant, which was VERy good. It was some personal affirmations that finally got me to turn into the parking lot, and I was able to ignore those old thoughts of unworthiness.

Upon arriving at home, I was ready to start right into work, but I realized that I needed to take a lesson from my own book (see below). So I let my dog Rudy out, sat on the porch swing, and soaked in the sunshine. The clouds. The blue sky. The trees turning. The air getting crisp. The mind resting, for just a moment. Practicing presence, releasing thoughts, softening feelings with observation.

Work was much easier to address after that.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

60 Minutes a Day

There were adults and children gleefully running across the field , and the banner snuck up behind them, screaming "PLAY 60 Minutes A Day!" This was a TV PSA from the NFL whose purpose was to get the kids off the couch and out with some exercise for a little bit. (Back in My Day, we played outside for hours, till darkness wrapped its cloak closer and closer, damp with evening dew).

But it occurred to me that this could be a very apt admonishment for adults. After all, the aim is for the demographic to live longer and healthier, isn't it? Who needs more of that than the adults in this world?

How much do you play?

Back at the beginning of the industrial revolution, with technology creating time saving and effortless accessories to free up so much free time, there was speculation that it would be a challenge to find enough things to do that would entertain us for hours each day.

How much do you play?

What if you committed to playing an hour a day? What would you do in that time? Computer time doesn't usually count, it's just a video game. Not the same.

Music. Toys. Sports. Hobbies. Creative outlets. Interactive board games.

Whatever disconnects you from the race and the chase. Whatever frees your mind from the schedule and the to-do list. Whatever gets you out of the past or future and into the present moment. The only place that you truly are.

PLAY 60 Minutes a Day. Can you imagine???