The Dis-Ease of Busy-ness

This last April, I moved into my home in Frisco. Because I’ve been traveling so much, I haven’t been able to get really integrated into this amazing 55+ community of Del Webb’s Frisco Lakes. Until last week, I hadn’t even been able to attend the newcomers’ Frisco Lakes 101 that gives a great overview of everything that this community offers. Besides over 85 clubs and groups (Bible Studies, Game-Playing Groups, State Groups (people from your home state), various seminars, travel groups, bowling, bocce, pickleball, horseshoes and dance groups, there is the fitness center and fitness programs that provide every way possible to stay fit. No excuses! This month of August has afforded me the opportunity to “Dance the Pounds Away”, “Line Dance the Pounds Away”, “Cardio Sculpt”, “Outdoor & Indoor Swimming Aerobics”. Whew!! And, while that’s all awesome to keep a gal out of trouble and in to shape, one could sure get carried away with so much busy-ness. It reminds me of the cruises my husband and I would take. The schedule of activities was so full, and we didn’t want to miss a thing. We would need a vacation from our vacation.

I know I’ve blessed in this season of my life – to enjoy the company of other mature people and to celebrate that “we’re still here so we’re not done”. But, as with any age, busy-ness can be a huge distraction from the most important things. I remember, as a young child, how slow-paced our lives were. In fact, Mom and Dad made sure they’d go sit with the people we loved so much and have slow and meaningful conversations about the state of our heart and soul -- conversations that slowly unfolded, conversations with gentle pauses and silences that we were in no rush to fill.

How did we create a world where we have more and more to do, with less time for reflection, less time for community, less time to just… be? I remember Zig Ziglar quoting “We are human BE-ings – NOT, human DO-ings!”

How are we supposed to live, to reflect, to ponder – TO BE -- when we are so busy? This dis-ease of being “busy” (Let’s call it what it is -- the dis-ease of being busy is when we are never at ease) can really be damaging to our health and well-being. It saps our ability to be fully present with those we love the most and keeps us from quality one-on-one communications that we all so desperately crave.

Since the 1950s (my beginnings), we have had so many new technological innovations that we thought (or were promised) would make our lives easier, faster, simpler. Yet, we have no more “free” or leisurely time today than we did decades ago. And, instead of real communication with each other, we are on our devices. All. The. Time. Cell phones and laptops mean that there is no separation between the office and home.

I saw my daughter’s email inbox a couple of days ago – over 8500 emails awaiting her attention. Whew! Isn’t it time we re-evaluate this time, this place and this space? Isn’t it time to ask the meaningful questions of those we love? When we ask, “How are you?” shouldn’t that be what we really want to know. How often do we ask someone how they’re doing and the standard reply is “I’m so busy!” We don’t need to know how many items are on their to-do list, or their email inbox.

Personally, for me, I want to know how your heart is doing, at this very moment. Tell me. Go ahead and tell me your heart is filled with joy or tell me your heart is aching. Tell me you remember you are still a human being, not just a human doing. Tell me you’re more interested in me than the next item on your to-do list. Look me in the eye. Disengage from your electronics. Ask me how I feel and give me the time to explain “Great” or “Fine” or “In pain”. Put your hand on my arm, look me in the eye, and connect with me for one second.

Philippians 2:1-5 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility, count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Isn’t it time we insist on connections when one of us responds with saying, “I am just so busy,” we can follow up by saying, “I know, Love. We all are. But I want to really know how you are doing -- how you AND your heart is doing.”

Happy New Year's Eve! 2015 is Almost Here!

This was the headline from Sydney, Australia at their midnight this morning:  "Kiss 2014 goodbye! Sydney kicks off New Year celebrations with seven tonnes of fireworks in spectacular display over Harbour Bridgen."

But it's still New Year's Eve to us in North America -- and my celebration, tonight, will include my little grandsons who will be nestled in bed, long before the new year rolls in.  It's been this way for 14 years -- peaceful and quiet New Year's Eve -- as we were always the "on duty" Papa and Nana on New Year's Eve with our grandsons.  We always loved it because we were able to peacefully and intimately hold each other, praise God, and truly be grateful for another year gone, and optimistic and hopeful for the new and great opportunities to come in our new year.  For the last 4 years, it's been just me and God -- but what a twosome we make.  He who understands my yesterdays, and holds my tomorrows.  The PERFECT match!  

In Times Square, tonight, there will be thousands of people bundled up in freezing New York weather to witness a few short seconds when the descending ball of light announces the arrival of 2015.  Those hardy people will endure the freezing air to mark the passage of time, but even more, because they are anticipating a "new beginning!" Saying goodbye to a tumultuous 2014, they will be looking forward to making a fresh start in 2015!

One thing we all have in common, rich or poor — is the desire for a blessed and sucessful new year. It gives us hope and great expectancy to think about the potential of good things coming our way in the new year.  Reflecting over 2014, I am astounded how quickly the year seemed to pass.    And looking back over it has caused me to ask, am I really embracing each day, taking time to "smell the roses" -- being "present" in the moments and to cherish the people in my life -- and when I'm with them -- to be "with them" -- without distractions.  Every day should be treated as a gift from God and we should cherish each one with thanksgiving.  We can't change the past, but we can always determine to celebrate each day we have in the future as the day God made for us and to determine to use our time wisely, with the purpose to make a difference in the world around us!  May you all experience a new year of much laughter, joy, happiness, love and peace!
#HappyNewYear