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Take Advantage of the Moment

Years ago, I struggled with a degenerative disk in my lower back. We had just finished building our new home and were in the process of unpacking boxes and putting things away.

Walking around was painful and sitting was never my forte. But now surrounded by work I was anxious to do, I was frustrated.  What could I do while I waited for my surgery date?

“I know what I can’t do but what can I do?

I didn’t just want to sit there doing nothing and I wasn’t able to unpack boxes and put things away.

 

Then it occurred to me.  I had a couple of boxes of prestigious cooking magazines I had wanted to go through and remove articles and recipes I wanted to keep but never had the time. Now I had the time.  In fact, this was “the” perfect time.  It not only kept my mind occupied with something useful and productive but completed a chore I had wanted to do but may never have gotten around to. I still have those selected articles and recipes and continue to use them.

Learning from our past

As I recover from a fall that wrenched my back last week, I thought of that earlier time. How could I use this time productively while giving my back time to rest and recover? I realized this was a perfect opportunity to look through the articles and blogs on writing I had saved to review. I could think about how it applies to me and my writing.

 

When you  are busy every day there is little time to think constructively about future plans and actions

 

God’s grace and generosity of spirit give us a capacity to tolerate and accommodate. It can ease our distress or pain. He designed us with incredible minds to take what we are handed at any moment in time and say, okay, what do I do with this.  How do I work with this?

 

How can I change my focus from what I can’t do to what I can?

 

This isn’t meeting expectations we or others put on us.  It is taking what we have and working with it “in” the moment – God’s moment for us.

Taking the Best and Applying it to our Situation

So, whatever situation you find yourself, be comfortable in that place.  Ask yourself, what is the most beneficial use of this time?  To empty my mind of my “to do” list; rest, or read? Perhaps this is an opportunity to think about future projects and do some planning while free from activities?

 

Use your time productively – not as another “to do” thing, but as an “in the moment” focus where you are comfortable and relaxed

 

Being productive doesn’t mean actively completing some project.  It is using the moment to its best advantage – it can mean doing absolutely nothing as you still the mind from relentless rumination and stress and simply be contented and calm. Or it can be a time of thoughtful planning and consideration of options moving forward.

Marlene Anderson

 

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One Response to “Take Advantage of the Moment”

  1. Reply Arlene

    Good to see that you are able to be up and about to write your blog. I certainly can relate to your back problem. It takes a lot of patience to wait for healing. Anne has been keeping us abreast of your fall and results of it. Keeping you in my prayers.

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