Friday, July 07, 2006

A Short Vacation

"Once in a while you have to take a break and visit yourself ." - Audrey Giorgi

It’s not something I’ve done in a while, it seems. I’m so easily distracted these days by the mundane tasks that often amount to so very little in the big scheme of things. How easily do we become so enveloped in the things we have to do that we forget the things we need or want to do like give ourselves a moment of quiet or say a silent prayer?

In these last couple of days - as the last few weeks at my job before I head off to law school wind down absent a decrease in day-to-day stressors - I’ve been planning my escape. Not from my job – or even from Virginia, necessarily – but from “it all,” I guess. (I think we all need that sort of vacation sometimes.) That’s why this quote struck me as it did when I visited the Christian Women Online Magazine to read more about their In “Other” Words feature, which I hope the other women in this blog community will consider participating in.




In the last week, I’ve been busy orchestrating the details of a last-minute trip to New York with my fiancé and his daughter to celebrate my sister’s wedding as well as a trip to Turks & Caicos (in August) to get some much-needed and well-deserved (I think) R&R before the stress really piles on. As my workload has increased along with unavoidable anxiety about the future, my blogging has been reduced to sporadic entries, the last of which has nothing to do with myself, really. What do I really care about Superman anyway? I’m trying to work out a budget while signing my soul away in student loans and planning for a May 2007 wedding for which funds remain a question mark while trying to learn how to be a step-parent and preparing to be a wife and not lose my mind or patience or sense of peace in the process. Sometimes, I think I need to lose myself in the things that don’t matter just to stop thinking about the things that do. Introspection can be wearing.

But maybe Audrey Giorgi had a point… So I took a moment to think on her quote. What does it really mean to take a break and visit yourself? I think it means to do the things we bloggers (male and female alike) do whenever we sit down to empty our minds/souls of our thoughts or burdens or ideas. We visit ourselves. We take time to really examine our conscience without the added burden of resolving all worries or conflict or solving all problems. We just allow ourselves for however long to be still; we just allow God to look at us.

This is not to suggest that God is not ever-watchful. But sometimes, it’s nice to just resign to the quiet of your own mind and let God look at you. Rather than trying to conjure up some eloquent prayer or find the words to thank Him for everything you can bring to light or apologize for, just letting your words be few: simply clearing your mind for a while and resting in the peace that you are Saved no matter how dire your circumstances may be.

One moment of un-interrupted quiet may be the best vacation there is….

I’ll certainly test it out in Turks & Caicos. :)

26 comments:

Cinder said...

"I think it means to do the things we bloggers (male and female alike) do whenever we sit down to empty our minds/souls of our thoughts or burdens or ideas. We visit ourselves. We take time to really examine our conscience without the added burden of resolving all worries or conflict or solving all problems. We just allow ourselves for however long to be still; we just allow God to look at us."

Nan, I love your post and I was very glad to read this. Last night, as I dealt with all that's going on in my life and looked at how chaotic my family's summer is, I thought about hitting that delete button and making my blog disappear. But I couldn't do it, as I've met so many people through my blogging experience and also because of what you said in your post. When I sit down at my computer and type away, I'm able to empty myself and reflect my thoughts into print, not only for me to see, but also for my blogger friends to see. You get to dig deep into yourself and see where things are at and a lot of times for me, the encouragement, support and advice which comes from the comment box is exactly what I need to hear at that time.

I think God truly uses all aspects of our lives, blogging included to help and benefit us. I hope you'll be able to find the R & R you need this summer and that you will feel God's presence and richest blessing in all aspects of your life!

Tim Rice said...

I think you have a significant point here in your post. Sometimes we need to just sit in quiet with God letting go all without. When I am busiest, that is when I need these quiet times the most even if it can only be for five or ten minutes rather than days or weeks. But I recommend taking at least a day or more off this way here and there when possible. It is good for soul, body, and mind.

Excellent writing.

Darlene Schacht said...

I like the idea of retreating to let God look at you. That's great. I enjoy my children when they sleep, they look adorable.

Martie said...

I think you're right about "visiting yourself". And on learning to be a step-parent....there really isn't anything to learn. Just do what your heart tells you to do and follow your instincts and you'll do just fine. Being a loving, caring person this should come easy to you! HUGS to you and M.

tonymyles said...

The prayer of silence.

Anonymous said...

Well said!!! That is why I started my blog - even if no one ever looked at it, it is so important to have somewhere to release the contents of the mind. An interesting thing often happens during these times of letting the thoughts out - little nagging ones that have been bugging me take their proper place as "no big deal", or I realize that I've found a solution to a problem, or some other such thing that would likely not happen if it were not for periods of quiet reflection. I think that often when we are reflecting, God takes the opportunity to speak to us because He knows our minds are open. Enjoy your vacation, it is most certainly well deserved:)

Anonymous said...

Well said sister! Thanks for your visit. A minute break is also a vacation too! Have a nice weekend ahead. GB! :)

audrey` said...

To be one with our Lord in our solitude silence :)

Pecheur said...

Vacation- it's hard work. =)

Thanks for stopping by

Kitty Cheng said...

Wow this is a wonderful post Nan. I agree that introspection can be wearing, and a short vacation is so necessary. Enjoy your break as you visit yourself dear sis:)

WhiteCrowWalking said...

Thank you for your kind words, and your caring. I wish you and your blog all the best.

WhiteCrowWalking said...

Thank you for leaving me your kind and thoughtful words on my blog. I wish you all the best.
Warmly,
WhiteCrow

Deb said...

You said it right there…To just ‘be still and let God look at you’. A lot of people don’t “hear” God because they’re too busy talking and saying eloquent prayers. You’re so right on that.

It’s even known to take little vacations---such as just stopping to smell the flowers. Even if you’re on your way to work, stop by a nearby lake and sit down with a cup of coffee for even ten minutes. It makes that much of a difference. We all need that.

As far as writing our souls out---a lot of people aren’t writers, and many people don’t even know what hobby they would like to go into---which is sad. There’s literally ‘no release’ and no ‘getting to know yourself’.

Meditation always works for me. It’s not only the meditation that calms me, it’s “hearing” from God; listening for that still voice.

Godwyn Lim said...

You reminded me of taking a short vacation from my busy 'rat race'.

It's so good just to do nothing at times but to rest in the Lord...

Pray that all is well for you. Have a great week ahead!

Flex J! said...

Wow! quite a post! Quiet time for oneself! We all need that to reharge and conquer again!

I really love the way you put it on visiting ourselves....

Godspeed sis..

An Ordinary Christian said...

You've got some kind of exciting life! May God bless you and keep it all together! "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct Your paths!"

Nunzia said...

thanks so much guys! I will really need a vacation and some time to have God look at me tomorrow when I have my wisdom teeth out (i have to stay awake :( ) That will definitely not be a time to visit myself. In fact, I'd rather be anywhere else :(

Sycorax said...

Hi Nan. I've given up blogging for a while until I get some other things straightened out. I had that posted for about a week, but decided to take it down, as it gave out a little too much info about what was/is going on in my life. Sorry to break the news to you. I will from time to time stop on over to leave a comment or two, but I have to pick priorities, and blogging is pretty low on the "to-do" list. If you would like to help me, then just say a prayer or two.My e-mail address is still open for business, and I usually check it once or twice a week. It is sycorax_09@yahoo.ca.

Anonymous said...

I blogged on something similar last week or so...we stay so BUSY in life. Someone gave me a good acronym that stuck with me when I go through those crazy times of being so b.u.s.y. (burdened under satans yoke) When we get busy, we don't stop to allow God to look at us and to allow us to reflect on our life and our God.

enjoyed your post@

Kristi B. said...

Hope you have a great time and get all the R&R you need! Sorry to hear about your wisdom teeth also... hope it went well for you. Mine was... well, horrible and I'll just leave it at that!!

Looks like you'll have tons of fun at those islands!

Gordon said...

Hope you get lots of well-deserved rest. God bless.

Kristi B. said...

Nan, I saw on the prayer blog you're having trouble with your wisdom teeth surgery. I'm so sorry! I can definitely empathize with you on this one! Hope you're feeling up to par soon.

Tim Rice said...

Hi, Nan. I was just stopping by to say, hi, and to hope things were well with you. From Kristi's comment, I see that you are having some difficulty with wisdom teeth surgery. I am praying for you in regards to that situation. Hope to see you back here soon, health permitting.

audrey` said...

Are you feeling better now?
Please take care, Nan :)
Praying for you...

Unknown said...

Life is full of stress and the added stress is magnified whenever they occupy most of our waking thoughts. It is good to stop for a moment and look at yourself and for sure to look at God looking at you. Hope and pray that it will all work out for you and your soon be family.

God bless!

Unknown said...

As ever, you are so insightful on this. Blogging does feel like checking in, not to vent or get self-absorbed, but to reflect on life and appreciate the journey you're on. Thank you for sharing your journey; my prayers are with you, and I hope you're doing well.