April 12th is my “Celebration of Life Day,” which was the date of my cancer surgery 12 years ago! This year, I celebrated in quiet reflection by reading over some of my journal entries. I came across one dated March 30, 1996 (about one week after my diagnosis), where I wrote: “I never want to be this busy again. I want to spend more time with those that I love; I want to travel and do the things I’ve always wanted to do. I never want to miss a sunset!”
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I read those words, because guess what? Life has become that busy again! I wrote on Boomer Babes last week (before we took “spring break”) that I was juggling too many balls, and somehow I found myself back in the same place where I didn’t want to be.
I truly believe that the “black plague” of the 21st century is busyness and the need to SIMPLIFY is something we all need to do. I looked over my schedule and realized there are some things I don’t need to be doing.
Yesterday I took a long walk on one of my favorite trails in the Hershey area. The time alone and the pictures I took rekindled my soul. When I returned that evening, my husband said, “You’re like a different person when you come back from your nature hikes.”
I said, “You’re absolutely right! I do need to do more of that."
Spring is a time for new beginnings and to celebrate the life God has entrusted to us, and to explore our passions with new joy. I’ve cleared a lot off my calendar and scheduled in “Celebration of Life” days all through the week, not just ONE day of the year.
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to spring forward into my passions once again and to celebrate life every day!
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breast cancer, celebration, Weekend of Hope, Trading Ashes for Roses, photography
6 comments:
Great post!
The Lord truly does give us "beauty for ashes" See Isaiah 61:3. What a wonderful God we serve.
Blessings,
Linda Ann Nickerson
PS: I looked at your weblinks from your email to me . . . . lovely sites! ;-)
Thanks Linda! I'm so glad you stopped by; I loved checking out all your links too! You are one busy woman.
Isaiah 61:3 is one of my favorite verses.
HUGS!
My wife says the same thing about me when I return from our company leadership conference. I get so much out of them just talking with people. I think we all need to slow down. I am planning on having a family meeting to ask each one what they can do to help out. I think it is time to get back to a simple life again.
Great post.
I once heard that life started to speed up with the invention of the light bulb. It used to be that people went to bed with the cows and woike up with the sun. I live in Amish country and they still live like that!
Oh, the simple life...I love it already! Good for you Greg! Sometimes we need input from others to tell us where we need to slow down. My family all chimed in at once!
I think that we could all clear some room on our calendars. I have tried for several weeks to get up in the mornings and do Bible study first and then walk. I have only managed to do them both a couple of times! You are an inspiration! God Bless!
Hi AJ's Mom!
It's hard isn't it? One step forward, two steps back! I know, I'm still trying to plot one foot in front of the other. I just hopped over to your site (a nurse!). You have my greatest admiration, and congratulations on pursuing your passion of helping others. I worked in the hospital with a woman who started her nursing career at age 51 (she is now 65 and never hopes to retire!).
HUGS!
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