> Practical Family Living

Right. Tomorrow is Monday. That means I have to make sure I have clean clothes for work, pack my lunch, and remember my laptop. What do the kids need? They need clothes and lunch, too. Sam will need a reminder since he’s young yet. Billy should remember all that on his own. Oh, and Billy has practice early in the morning so that means we need to leave at 6:00 instead of 6:30. But Sarah doesn’t have to be there until 7:30. Shoot. I forgot about that. What are we going to do about that? John can drive her. I think. That should work. Then, after school. Who has what extracurricular? Oh no, I just remember. Anne and I had that conflict at work Friday. Ahh, I don’t want to face her. Egh, I’ve been so busy this weekend I forgot. Now I’m all nervous about that and I was already frantic before trying to juggle all the preparation for the week. And John is stressed about work, too. I wonder how he’s going to receive having to bring Sarah. And we have counseling tonight, too. Right, our marriage is struggling. And I have to see my mother-in-law tomorrow. Well, that just tips it.

That internal monologue may sound familiar. It would not be strange if you felt your heart begin to pump and a sinking feeling in your stomach after reading all that. Fast-paced society? How about a hyper-speed society? The tasks, expectations, and energy needed to live in our world are mind boggling. And, there does not seem to be any end in sight. So, what’s a person to do?

Good news! Well, good and hard news. We all have a choice of whether we want to play these crazy minds games or not. And the cure is – learn to live in the moment.

I know, you may have heard this before and be annoyed with the cliché. But I promise there is something to it. Begin simply but taking a minute in the middle of the crazy to stop and breath. Experience your body and how the air flows in and out. How your chest expands and contracts. Notice the air in your lungs and on your body. Is it cold? Warm? Let your body bring you back to reality and calm your wild mind. You’re a human being – not a human doing. Let yourself just be for a while today. The Lord is with you.