Permission Granted – Now What Will You Do?
Who remembers the days of permission slips? A note would go home with you from your teacher and one of your parents had to sign it. Don’t forget the ever important checking of the box “yes” or else you wouldn’t be able to participate! Oh wait, does that tell my age? Sisters, let’s be honest with ourselves regarding some of the struggles that we have. We are busy. I mean too BUSY at times. At one point, I can remember being a single mom working two jobs and working on my masters degree. That was a lot and yet, I seemed to thrive on being busy. But was I really thriving? Everyone’s busy season looks different but if we are not careful, our busy season will become a lifestyle that we can’t sustain. We will find ourselves missing out on important things from being exhausted or distracted. We will neglect the people that are most important to us. Ultimately, we will lose ourselves in the process if we are not careful.
Well, I am here to give you the permission that you need. Permission to rest. Permission to laugh. Permission to just be. It’s too often that we don’t get to do that. And you know what? It’s impacting every aspect of our lives. So in a time where we seem to be bombarded with lists of lots of things to do, clean, appointments etc., I am giving you permission to REST.
R – READ! Read something that is not homeschool related. Read something that is not relevant to paying a bill. Read something that is not a set of instructions for assembling a new toy or kitchen gadget. Over the past few weeks, I have been organizing some things and noticed that my list of books that I had planned to read “later” has really grown. Well my friend, I’m making later NOW. I set a goal of reading at least 10 books this summer and even with a busy schedule, I believe that I can do it. I just have to prioritize it and say no to things that will stop me from doing it. And you know what? I am almost two chapters into my first book! I will be sharing my list soon so make sure you check it out!
E – EXERCISE – I will be the first to admit that this one can be challenging. I have found that (for me) just starting is the biggest hurdle. I love to walk. However, I typically only like to walk certain places. I love park trails or nature walks but am bored when faced with having to walk in our neighborhood. I feel like I just can’t get into it. Plus, I prefer to walk with a friend. Now, as a mom of three (and two of them very young), I’m not saying you can’t exercise with your children. But for me, it doesn’t work. When we go walking to some of my favorite places, we pass SEVERAL play areas and then my exercise trip turns into time on the playground for them and it is over before it has even gotten started. Does that sound familiar to anyone else? Note to self: sometimes a Plan B and even Plan C for getting in the exercise you want and need is necessary.
S- SPIRIT – Part of being able to truly rest is being able to find peace. For me, when I take the time to get into God’s Word through Bible study and journaling, prayer or devotion time, it refreshes me. It helps me to totally relax and just be still. One of my favorite Scriptures is Psalm 46:10 in which the Word says “Be still and know that I am God.” In times where I feel myself getting anxious or feeling rushed, I reflect on this verse. Quieting our spirits from the noises of the outside world is essential for healthy living. I believe that it is important that we take the time to make sure that we nourish our spirit as well as taking care of our physical bodies. Focusing on God’s Word allows me to focus on what’s most important — my relationship with Him — and then everything else coming into place. I encourage you to feed your spirit TODAY. You will feel differently and your family will take notice as well.
T – TAKE TIME FOR YOU – Incorporating self-care and taking some time for you is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. It’s not selfish. It’s not overrated. It’s necessary. I enjoying spending time with friends. But on those few moments when I have some time to myself, it is bliss. I love going to get a pedicure. I love getting a massage and just getting lost in the quiet music that is playing. I love just lighting a candle and staring out the window. Something as simple as a long hot bath with your favorite bath pillow and without the kids beating knocking on the door can be a beautiful thing. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated or very expensive. It just needs to be something that you can enjoy by yourself…. Trust me friend. This is the time you need to REST. With summer right around the corner, make sure that you take the time to do just that!
I would love to hear about what you did! Feel free to email me here or comment on the post! You may just inspire someone else!
It is my heart's desire to see women walk in their true power and authority in Jesus Christ. I get the honor of walking that out in my writing, speaking and everyday life.
With a cold latte in hand and my latest read under my arm, I'm usually seen going over math facts, checking out a new STEM project and studying God's Word. In my spare time, you will catch me spending time with family and friends, at live music festivals and on the hunt for a new favorite dessert.
www.angelpenn.com
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Love your R-E-S-T advice. Why do we feel the need to ask permission?
This is great stuff Melissa! I needed to hear this, especially the reading part. Too often I only read things related to business and it’s so refreshing to see this article saying to give yourself permission to read one of the books of fiction that Amazon has been emailing me about for the last few years! LOL Some how they still remember the books of fiction I used to to read back in the day. Exercise that’s always needed! ;-D Thanks again for a great read.
This is great! I always feel as though I have seven million things to do and not enough time to do them in. I have realized that by nature I am s busy person. I can relax for a moment but I will find something to get myself busy again.
So important to make time for us and allow ourselves some time out! This weekend our family has had nothing planned and we have just relaxed and rested, which is exactly what we ALL needed. 🙂
I love this! I’m fiercely protective of my own time-book clubs, exercise time, girl time. It is SO important!
I am too! Protecting that time is a must for me. It helps me…and my family because it allows me to rest and refocus.
Yes!! I love this!! I just wrote about summer and that this is the season of ‘less’ in my weekly newsletter! I do need permission it seems to rest…it is so important but so overlooked these days! I also have a stack of ‘read later’ books that I am becoming more intentional with reading! I try to look ahead in my week and block out an hour or two of rest…usually Sunday afternoons, but sometimes it is whenever I can get it- ha! Thank you for this extra reminder to rest…I needed to read it!
You sound a lot like me Ellen! I want to make those “later” things happen now. I’m actually going to be on Periscope next week talking about some summer reads. We can do this! Let me know how it goes with you!
I am trying to work on the reading aspect this Summer. Sometimes it’s just a decision to get off my smartphone and pick up a book that! I DO have time 🙂 thank you for sharing this!
Tell me about it Melissa! I think for all of us, we just had to decide to make time for doing the things that we really want to to do. As convenient as our smart phones are, they hold a bunch of apps — who am I kidding — those social media apps and they can keep us distracted at times.