 | ||||
TM
Loading
Join
Connect With Us
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Advertisement
Advertisement
Shannon Burrous
Senior Contributor
www.frazledmwcn.com
faith@armywifemagazine.com
FAITH & VALUES
During the days after reading Karen’s book, my life became a story book Nascar race, to include a new teenage driver. Who, I am thankful for, doesn’t believe in driving a mile over the speed limit, at least not yet. But I digress.
My first 60 seconds of relaxation came during my first driving experience with our newest temporary driver. She hasn’t had much driving time so I knew it would be interesting. Trusting that the Lord would see us through, I handed her the keys and off we went. Off we went at about 20 miles per hour backing out of the driveway. That’s when the retreat happened. I decided the only way I wouldn’t white knuckle the dashboard or yell at her all the way to our destination was to retreat; and since I couldn’t physically leave the car, I decided that the only way to “leave” was in my mind. First, I started to breathe. Just in and out slowly. Then I started to think about the great day when I could send my oldest out with her siblings in the car and she could deliver them to practice, while I soak in a tub or get a pedicure. Was that a nice thought or delusion? Only time will tell.
That simple act of breathing through the experience made me realize that I often hold my breath. It’s as if I am almost waiting for the next bomb to drop and crisis to solve. Why is it so hard to enjoy the good moments? Why do I fear what’s around the corner? For me it’s control. I can’t control what’s around the corner. Like most military wives, I want to know when, where, why, how and what if. The what if is the back-up plan to the back-up plan in case one of the first two scenarios doesn’t play out.
The one minute breaks have allowed me to relax, let go and let God. It may seem silly because 60 seconds doesn’t seem that long but once you sit still and refocus with a purpose, it becomes the best 60 seconds of the day. It allows you to clear your head, be distracted from the problem that you can’t solve and for me, it’s a great way to reconnect with God.
Our military lives will always have change. They will always have some sort of chaos, laughter, fun, or challenge. Don’t get so caught up in the day to day life that you lose yourself or who the Lord created you to be. You were made with great design. Celebrate yourself. When you can’t get away for a long vacation or need to get away because your vacation, schedules and deadlines have you in a frenzy, RELAX for 60 seconds. It’s all the time you need to see all the blessings you have around you.
Archives: Faith & Values
Have you ever stood still for a minute? I mean standing a whole minute by your choosing. Not because you are waiting in line to pay or stuck in traffic but because you got up from your desk, walked away from the computer and took a 60 second break. Have you indulged in this 60 second heaven? Now you may think I have fallen off my exercise ball, bumped my head and I should seek medical attention for such a crazy idea-on the contrary, I have never had more peace in my life than right now.
A few weeks ago I was reading a book titled, Hand over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt by Karen Scalf Linamen. Among some other great suggestions she offers is that of a 60 second get away for the days where it is impossible to break away from your schedule. At first, I laughed at the idea. If anyone had an extra minute to spare in the day it sure wasn’t me. There are days I barely remember to eat, much less take a WHOLE minute to relax, recoup and do nothing.
