Today is one of those Saturdays where there is really not much going on. It’s unseaonably cold, and there are no major plans going on. Sure, I can think of things to do around the house, or do some shopping, but I am not very motivated to do work today.
Is this a bad thing? Should I feel guilty when I am not active? I could run into problems if I felt like this every day. However, I am beginning to see the importance of spending time in limited action. In fact, I have seen the importance of taking a bit of time each day to just stop and take advantage of some down time. Here are some advantages to down time:
- It’s a time to get your thoughts together. The life we experience externally is a result of what our thoughts are like. We need quiet time to gather and control our thoughts. Then we need the time to create positive ones, imagine ideal situations, and affirm success to ourselves. It is also helpful, and I believe necessary, to pray and meditate on things things.
- Upon getting our thoughts in line, it is easier to develop plans of action when things are quiet and we are not stressed. Faith and focused action is a force that no one can defeat. When we have both going for us, we are victorious in every situation.
- Better relationships. When I have had my fill of me time in a state of relaxation, I am much more willing and able to go out of my way for others. In fact, I will say that we cannot be our best for others if we cannot first be our best selves. In order to be our best selves, we need our share of down time.
These are just some advantages of down time. It is just so helpful to take advantage of times like this. Jesus Himself even stressed this, and how it helps us focus on the right things. In Luke 10 there is a story about how Jesus was going to visit two friends who were sisters. When He arrived, one was doing all the work, while the other was doing nothing but sitting and listening to Jesus’s words. The working sister complained to Jesus..”aren’t you going to say something to my sister? Im doing all of the work while she is just sitting there”. The funny thing is she doesn’t get the answer she expects. Instead of criticizing, Jesus instead commends the “sitting” sister for focusing on the right thing (Him and His words) and not letting other distractions get in the way.
Can you relate? If a famous person were coming to your house, what would you do? Would you relax and enjoy the moment of this special time, or would you be stressed because of the things that had to get done and let that replace the enjoyment?
According to the divine word above, we have every right to enjoy down time so we can focus on the priorities and the right things. It’s totally ok, as long as we don’t use the time to replace other times where we are prompted and inspired to act. Whenever you get the chance, even if it’s for a short time, please take advantage of some down time to think beautiful things, and get your mind and body in order. It will have extreme benefits when the time to act arrives.
Enjoy the blessings : )
Power of PIES 