Michele Chynoweth's Blog, page 5

Faith Not Fear

[image error]Have you ever been snow skiing before and stood at the top of the mountain looking down…and realized it’s going to take every ounce of faith you can muster to get to the bottom? It’s been awhile but the snow we had here on the East Coast the past two days (which was beautiful I might add) reminded me of all of those times I’ve been skiing and all of the times I had to draw on my faith – in myself and in God – and ignore my fear that I might break my leg or worse yet, my neck – to get to the bottom of the slope and feel all of the joy that came with that experience.

But that pales in comparison to big life decisions where it takes every ounce of faith to plunge forward and not get stalled and stuck in the quagmire that fear can cause. I was also reminded of the “breathe in faith, breathe out fear” response to life as I was finishing the final edits of my newest book coming out this June titled, “The Jealous Son,” a modern-day novel based on the story of Cain and Abel. In it (spoiler alert for those wishing to stop reading  here and remain in suspense about the entire novel) the main character Eliza Trellis (a contemporary Eve) gets pregnant at the age of 47 and, of course, is shocked and fearful (after having lost her youngest son at the hands of her oldest) to have a baby this late in life. In the Bible, several women have had to put aside their fears and draw upon their faith in God’s plan for them when faced with getting pregnant unexpectedly: Eve with Seth, Sarah with Isaac, and of course, Mary with Jesus our Lord and Savior. But just think how humanity would have suffered had these women not gone forward in faith!

I have learned in the Twelve-Step Program that FEAR is usually just an acronym for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” In almost every instance in my life where I have been doubtful or anxious about the future, it has been the case that I worried about an outcome for nothing, letting fear get the best of me instead of having faith – which robbed me of my peace and joy. With the upcoming March for Life in our nation’s capital on Friday, January 18, I urge everyone to stop and pray for all women with unwanted or unexpected pregnancies…that they don’t give into the fears that plague them but have faith and courage to do God’s Will and choose life so that they may experience all of the joy that a child brings. And I pray for each one of us in our every day lives to be obedient, patient, grateful and faithful in our ever-loving, all-powerful God and in His plan for each one of us, even though sometimes we stumble and struggle along the way.

The women in the Bible had angels to guide them not to be fearful but to be faithful. We now have Jesus, who sent the Holy Spirit, to guide us. As Jesus says in the Gospel of John (14:26-27): “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” How comforting…that, like the freshly fallen snow, our slates are wiped clean and we get a new start each day…and all we have to do to experience peace and joy is to breathe in faith, and breathe out fear.

When you wish upon a star…

[image error]Last night my son got out the new telescope he gave his four-year-old daughter (my granddaughter) and we all took turns looking at the stars in what was a very clear night sky. It was lovely and now as I look back, I see how fitting it was since yesterday was the feast day of the Epiphany when the wise men followed the star to find where the baby Jesus lay. Back in those days there was no ‘Google maps’ (or even paved roads for that matter) and it was challenging to find directions, but I’ll bet also amazing to follow this glorious star God had provided as a guide.

Have you ever wished upon a star, as the song in the Disney classic Pinocchio encourages us to do? I never really looked at the full lyrics until now…

“When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires will come to you

If your heart is in your dream

No request is too extreme

When you wish upon a star

As dreamers do

Fate is kind

She brings to those who love

The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue

Fate steps in and sees you through

When you wish upon a star

Your dreams come true.” 

Being a dreamer, and someone who can be “extreme” in my wishes and dreams, I like the song lyrics because they speak to my heart. But I also reflected today that wishing on a star is not enough to make my dreams come true – that I’m not a character in a Disney movie but a real girl living in a real world where I know I have to work with God to make my dreams come true. The word “fate” caught my attention in the song…and I believe that we need more than fate but faith in God…and in ourselves. And more than that, we need to put in time and effort. Sure, to have a dream come true usually takes a lot of hope and faith in God, and He can perform miracles as He has done in the past. But as the prophets and saints tell us, we also have to act on our faith…that “faith without works is dead.” As Saint James says in the Bible, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2: 14-18)

 

I pray that you have the faith to wish upon a star…and then, if they are in alignment with God’s Will and you work hard, all of your dreams come true!

New Year, New Adventures!

[image error]I love New Year’s Eve because it is always a time to reflect back on the past year…to take stock and be grateful for the good (small victories, improved relationships, new people, places and things) and learn from the bad (our shortcomings, mistakes and failures). And more importantly, it is a time to look ahead and plan to make the coming days, months and year a little bit better and brighter.

I believe it’s all about renewing our commitment to fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives (or if we’re still unsure what that is, to finding out!) It’s about setting priorities and then “girding our loins” as Saint Peter says in the Bible, or setting our sights on discovering  God’s will and preparing ourselves to do our best to carry it out.

A tall order? Yes. And every year I, like you, have the best of intentions. Yet still I make New Year’s resolutions to do better in all areas of my life – physically, mentally and spiritually – because otherwise I am just being lazy.

So how can you and I help build the Kingdom in the coming year? I believe by doing our very best to carry out our calling – in my case, being the best author, speaker and book coach…and the best wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend I can be, realizing there will be pitfalls on the journey but having faith God will see me through them as I climb upward and onward.

I look forward to the scary yet exciting challenges that await me in 2019 including launching my newest novel, The Jealous Son, a modern-day murder mystery based on the story of Cain and Abel. I hope God works through me and my words to reach readers with His message…and that I can inspire and help other writers to become successful authors as well. I hope God works through all of us to carry out his works here on earth.

So take a deep breath and as the New Year approaches let us pray with Isaiah that we “…go forth in joy and be led forth in peace” and know that “those  who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

God bless you and yours in 2019 and Happy New Year!

 

 

Being vulnerable…

[image error]Have you ever felt vulnerable and had someone take advantage of you or hurt you? It’s hard to trust again or sometimes to even love again after that. But get up we must and learn to forgive, let go, and somehow, to be vulnerable all over again…because the opposite is being bitter, closed off, hardened…and we all know that’s not how God wants us to be.

I was reflecting that perhaps this is why Jesus came to earth as a baby…the most vulnerable of all creatures. From his birth people were out to “get” him – those against him couldn’t stand his true power; they were basically jealous or insecure. And Jesus the man remained equally vulnerable – gentle, kind, giving, no matter how much he was ridiculed, spat upon, beaten and eventually killed.

Sometimes we are wrongfully harmed through no fault of our own – by people who don’t consider our feelings or who are out to “get” us, usually because they are jealous of us or feel insecure. I believe He calls on each one of us to follow His way…to look outside of ourselves and our feelings to meeting the needs of others, even when to do so means showing compassion and forgiveness, usually to those who hurt us, whether intentionally or unintentionally – to turning the other cheek.

During these last few days of Advent, as people get more stressed and frantic, I hope I keep my focus on the baby Jesus, knowing He was a vulnerable human being who went before us in suffering, and yet called on us to be like Him – and promised if we walk in His ways we will end up coming Home to Him and finding true, lasting glory.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

I hope each of you reading this find true spiritual guidance in these last several days of Advent…and have a peaceful, joyful and blessed Christmas!

Make Room…

[image error]Everything seems to be heightened this time of year as we prepare for the Christmas holiday – joy and cheer as we experience the Christmas spirit – but also anxiety as we get ready by shopping, wrapping, decorating and spending time with friends and family. For me (and I’m sure for others) my emotions this time of year seem to be on a roller coaster ride. While my intentions are good, as Christmas Day looms closer I feel my anxieties increase, robbing the little bit of joy and peace I may feel at times. For example, Sunday morning in church (just yesterday in fact) I felt a surge of joy as I listened to the readings at Mass and gazed at my grandchildren, attending my church for the first time. Then, hours later, they’re running around and I’m yelling at them to stay out of my kitchen.  I wonder if, like the inn keeper in Bethlehem, I too would have said “no more room!”

So how, in the midst of all of the chaos, can we make room in our hearts for what’s most important…joy, peace, love, God? Here are a few thoughts:

Get Rid of Resentments

This is a prime time of year for getting frustrated, hurt or angry – with the person who butts in front of you, doesn’t say please or thank you, doesn’t like your gift, doesn’t invite you, doesn’t consider your feelings, doesn’t bother to help…the list can go on. Expectations are a ready source of resentments and the holidays, with all of their traditions, gift-giving, family gatherings and such, provide the perfect storm for heightened expectations. Instead of getting hurt, mad or frustrated, I need to remind myself to pray for the person causing me harm and try to take the focus off of me and my feelings and place it on the Lord and His Will for me.

Be Thankful

Being thankful shouldn’t end at Thanksgiving. But this is also the time of year when money may get tight as we shop ‘til we drop – and if we get bad news of any kind financially, it can really send us over the edge. If you’re in that category (as I have been recently) it’s time to take the focus off of our lack or our problems and be grateful for all that we do have – a warm house, friends and family to celebrate with, enough to share. A heart full of gratitude usually doesn’t have room for anything else.

Set Priorities

How important is it really that you don’t give or get the exact perfect pair of socks or (fill in the blank)? How important is it that the cookies burned a bit, the tree is leaning ever so slightly, you don’t like your hair and makeup in the Christmas photo? How much more important is it that you have room in your heart to enjoy the fact you have someone to give to (or give to you), someone to bake cookies and decorate a tree for, take pictures with, et cetera? With only fifteen days until Christmas, pat yourself on the back for progress made, focus on necessity (and acceptance!) and let the rest go.

Pray and Meditate on His Word

To meditate I usually need to read something first, and what better book to read than the Bible this time of year? Of course it’s not a good time to try to read it cover to cover, but maybe to focus on the Christmas story itself – on how Mary and Joseph had to put up with a lot of bad news, chaos and worry – but how they overcame all of it to feel the love and joy of their newborn baby, our Lord and Savior, which made everything else insignificant in comparison.

This year I pray I can get off the roller coaster ride, walk in peace, joy and love, and remember the words of Isaiah and John the Baptist:  “Prepare the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill made low. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed.” (Is 40:3-5)

Remaining Grateful

[image error]Today is Monday…and from where I’m sitting (in Delaware), it’s cold and rainy. The Thanksgiving holiday is over…and I find myself losing my attitude of gratitude, especially when the hectic holidays now loom with all of the “to-do’s” left to be done. So how do we maintain a grateful spirit when we’re feeling down, perhaps even experiencing an “emotional hangover” brought on by family drama, or coming down off our spiritual “high,” or merely facing a cold, rainy Monday? I think we need to remember that gratitude is an action word and the answer to being happy lies in doing whatever it takes to stay grateful.

How do we do that, you ask? First, we need to remove whatever it is that’s blocking the way to feeling grateful. If there is someone or something in your life causing you anxiety or regret, try to limit (or if you can, eliminate) your exposure or at the very least, accept that person, place or thing – unless you can change it. Second, it helps me to tell another person what I’m grateful for and if this isn’t possible, at least write it down so my thoughts don’t get trapped in my head (where other negative thoughts are liable to override them). Third, sometimes we just need to focus on the road ahead and to move forward, remembering the good, forgiving and forgetting the bad, looking around and appreciating what we have right here and now (even if it’s the rain).

Although times are tough right now with family drama, I am grateful I have family. Although some old friends have disappointed me or have fallen by the wayside, there are new friends I’ve made that are just waiting for me to spend time with them. Although I have aches and pains sometimes, I am relatively healthy and can see, hear, walk and even swim. Although there’s always something that needs to be fixed, I have a home that provides warmth, shelter and safety. Although it’s not ideal, I have a job that makes money so I can fund “higher” pursuits in my life. And although it’s not where I want it to be yet, I have a purpose as an inspirational fiction writer that I wouldn’t trade for any other. Although it’s especially hard around the holidays, I am truly thankful for my sobriety and a recovery program that helps me live a better, more fulfilling life and be a better person each day as a result. And although it is being tested on a daily basis, I am thankful for my faith…and truly don’t know how I could be grateful for anything unless I remember that a kind and loving God is in control of it all.

There, I already feel better having written down my blessings! It’s easy to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a little harder the Monday after…but it is possible!  “I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I sing praise to you before the gods…You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me; Even though you are so high above,  you care for the lowly…When I am surrounded by troubles, you keep me safe. You will do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal. Complete the work that you have begun.” (Psalm 138)

Often the prayer of “thank you” is the best one of all.

Choose Truth, Respect and Love

[image error]I hope all Americans exercise their right to vote tomorrow (November 6) in the general elections. It truly is a chance for your voice to be heard, your opinion to count. As this is a spiritual blog I will stay out of the political fray except to say that I believe truth always has a way of winning out in the end and that above and beyond all else, when all of the votes are tallied and it’s all over and done, I believe no matter what the outcome, we all as Americans need to both accept it and then move on in a manner of respect for our country and its leaders, whether your candidate(s) wins or not.

I believe it’s been a disgrace that there has been such disrespect, often in the form of vulgar and even violent protest, for our government leaders following the past election and this is totally not in line with God’s teaching which we find in His Word, the Bible: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment…Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:1-7)

We have no way of knowing the truth except to try to follow in God’s footsteps one day at a time and learn as much as we can by reading and studying His Word. As human beings, we do the best we can. Whether or not “our” truth is “the” truth or “God’s” truth may never be revealed until we are dead and gone; but one thing is true…we need to show respect and love for one another as Jesus commanded no matter what.

I was told by a counselor several years ago that to love someone is usually not a feeling (except when you “fall” in love, a feeling that often fades over time) but a choice; we choose to love our spouses, our friends, our family members, our neighbors, even (and sometimes especially) when we don’t feel like it. So too we can choose love over hate when it comes to our country by respecting its “authorities,” honoring its laws and acting as good citizens.

Stick with the Winners

[image error]I gave a keynote address on “Pen to Purpose” at the 10th Annual Vine & Vessels Christian Writers Conference this past weekend and one of the topics I addressed was surrounding yourself with “winners” or the right people who can best help you run your “race” to fulfill your purpose in life. Here  are some of the tips I gave that I believe can help everyone along this journey we call life:

Don’t go it alone.

We writers (all of us from time to time) want to whole up in our cubby holes, man caves, she shacks, writing rooms…I’ve heard many writers say why can’t people just leave us be so we can write our next masterpiece? But God didn’t create us to live in isolation…He created us for fellowship. I know first-hand that alcoholism is a disease of isolation…and the enemy often tells us we’re better than others, we can do things ourselves, who needs other people anyway? We do. Be reciprocal in giving to others of your time and talents (ie., like other’s social media posts, give others reviews, etc. – remember the Golden Rule of what comes around goes around.) You reap what you sow.
Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Still we can’t trust everyone. I’ve been burned before by “Christians”…editors, publishers, marketing agents, publicists and others who have claimed they had my best interests at heart but really didn’t when it came to money and the bottom line. Now I tend to be extremely gullible when it comes to believing in the good of people, giving them the benefit of the doubt and trusting others. My husband often warns me of this and he is a much better judge of people than I am.  So be discerning when looking to find good people to be on your “team” and in whom you confide your dreams and goals. Still, we can’t live in fear and have to trust people once in a while. I’d rather be gullible than overly cynical I guess. And when you are burned, try to forgive and forget, let it go and move on or you’ll stay stuck in regret.
Age isn’t a factor.

When you’re looking to build your team don’t forget about our youth…they are tech savvy of course (I love that TV commercial where the grandparents are waiting on the front porch for their teenage grandson to arrive – with their laptop in hand to give him to fix!) They are often brilliant (I taught home schooled children ages 10-15 how to write their first book in a local college credit course and I’m really looking forward to seeing their books get published one day!) They can inspire us and hopefully we can guide them with our wisdom and experience. And remember, you’re never too young or old to begin to write, publish and market your book, or follow whatever dream God places on your heart.
Stay in your lane.

I grew up in a big family and as a first-born my parents always encouraged me to be an over-achiever and as such, I was always very competitive. But I also have always had a tendency to compare myself to others, a tendency which can often stand in your way of achieving God’s individual purpose in your life. One particular author I compared myself to was William Paul Young, author of “The Shack,” which was recently made into a movie. It’s no secret he went from selling books out of the trunk of his car to millions of copies – and getting a movie deal to boot. I once had the pleasure of meeting him and asking how he got where he was. His answer was basically “one step at a time, just keep doing the next best thing.” Feeling frustrated that my sales weren’t like his, I often cried the blues, including to my literary agent, who informed me that Mr. Young won a quarter million dollars on the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” which I’m sure helped his cause. Yet Mr. Young also faced his share of hardship, including a lawsuit with his friend who published his book. So never judge others’ outsides by your insides. Trust in God’s timing and purpose for YOUR life.
Expect the unexpected.

We writers also come out of the gate all excited about the great book we just wrote and, with wide-eyed optimism, expect all of our family and friends to embrace us and our new book. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Even Jesus wasn’t a big hit in his hometown of Nazareth. When he preached in the synagogue, people who knew him basically asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (meaning ‘who does he think he is?’) “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” (Luke 4:24) But once in a while people – even strangers – will pleasantly amaze us.  Fellow author and pastor Chris Whaley who was also the 2015 Best Picture Winner at the International Christian Film Festival for his book and adapted screenplay, “The Masked Saint,” not only spent an hour on the phone with me when I called to ask about his success in making his book into a movie, but bought me a ticket to this year’s film festival, where I pitched my books to TV and movie producers (fingers crossed!). Wow. Sometimes all you need to do is be open and ask! Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened for you.” (Matt 7:7)

A good friend of mine often says, “God will put just the right person in just the right place at just the right time with just the right message.” I believe that to be true. So go out of your comfort zone and connect with others and be open to what they have to say. God tells us, “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)

Lord, thank you for the good people you have put in my life so far, and for those who are about to cross my path in days to come. Help me be open to the shepherds you send my way.

 

Going down the rabbit hole…

[image error]Do you ever feel like there are days or even larger chunks of time like weeks or months in which you realize (usually looking back)  you have been so distracted from your main goals and purpose in life that you feel like you went down the rabbit hole? This little phrase has been stuck in my head lately so I looked its definition up: “Down the rabbit hole” is a metaphor for an entry into the unknown, the disorienting or the mentally deranging, from its use in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (by Lewis Carroll), or a slang expression for a psychedelic experience, from the same usage. (Wikipedia) Since I haven’t used any mind-altering substances for many years, I realized perhaps that my “rabbit holes” have been my losing focus on my vision and mission in life and becoming easily distracted, usually by becoming overwhelmed and doing too much. It’s easy to become distracted for the most vigilant of humans I think with all of the news, social media, emails and other modern-day bombardments of information. I go on Facebook and Instagram and pretty soon I have lost an hour of time. Or I check my email inbox and become so completely engaged in something I forget what I originally intended to address in the first place.

Meanwhile, here we are in October already, New Year’s resolutions still unmet (to lose 15 pounds, get my book coaching webinars launched, and start writing my fifth novel.) Still, perhaps I should be gentle to myself (like I would be to a cute bunny rabbit) and realize I have accomplished much good over the past several months: my literary agent (who I made the effort to acquire last year) found a publisher for my fourth novel, a contract has been signed and the process is underway. I helped a son get his father’s book published and launched successfully, I edited a memoir on Alzheimer’s, and I am in the process of finishing final edits on another manuscript on biblical principles in business practices that I believe will shape up to be a dynamite book (and have encouraged the doubtful writer not to give up and that it was, indeed, worth publishing). I have spoken at three writers conferences this summer/fall and am speaking at another three in the next month…and I have also followed up with the people I have met and tried to give them advice when and where I could.  And I have been totally aware recently that I need to write a new plan for the coming year…before it begins!

Am I out of the latest rabbit hole? I believe I am and am hoping I don’t go down another any time soon but pray that I keep my head up and my eyes on the prize (that is to say, my main goals as an author, speaker and book coach.) Sorry for the cliche metaphors (I always advise my writing students against using them! But after all this is my blog and they did seem to fit – and I didn’t want to go down another rabbit hole looking up alternatives on the internet!) Most of all I know I have to trust in the Lord for direction, guidance and keeping me on the right path, or pulling me back if I go too far in the wrong direction. For as it says in Proverbs: “The plans of the heart belong to man,  but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.  Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.  The Lord has made everything for its purpose…The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:1-9)

Lord, thank you for reassuring me that if You care for the littlest of creatures (including rabbits) You surely will care for me.

 

 

 

Finding Balance…

[image error]I believe life…or rather, living the life you really want to live…is all about finding a good balance. It’s about finding time for exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep, working to feel fulfilled and help others…finding the perfect blend of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energies to feel healthy and whole. Sounds simple, huh? But you know as well as I do that it’s really tough when there’s only 24 hours in a day (and at least seven for me have to be spent sleeping for me to function!) When you’re juggling a full-time job and your side passion/dreams/goals AND your personal life as a wife, mother, grandmother, etc. – well, life can feel unbalanced sometimes. How are we possibly supposed to find time to meet our own demands, much less those of others, AND be reasonably happy? Throw in a curve ball…a child or a parent moves back home, you have a major loss, etc…and balance may seem like a distant concept impossible to achieve.

So first, perhaps, we must look at what’s right in front of us and realize that  balance, like life, is about the choices we make. In my last blog, (part one of a blog post on time management for writers, but suggestions that can be applied to anyone, whatever their walk in life) I recommended five practical tips on managing your time (if you missed it, just go back to my last blog post). Here are five more that can help you with achieving balance:

Set Priorities.

As I said above, there is only so much time in a day. Don’t waste any of it. Set priorities within your schedule…not everything is a “hair on fire” priority and if you treat everything as if it is, you’ll never get anything of long range importance done. If writing several pages is your priority for the day, then shut everything else out. If playing with your kids is the priority, writing will have to wait. But don’t try to do both at the same time because you won’t be able to do either effectively.

Limit Distractions including “Digital” Time.

It’s easy to go down a “rabbit hole” when you engage in social media or answer emails, etc. Answer emails only 3 times a day. Schedule social media, emailing, website updates, etc. all at once if possible by using a multi-post platform (Hootsuite, WordPress, etc.) or block out a half-hour to an hour a day to concentrate on your marketing/social media/communication efforts – then free up the rest of the day to focus on your priorities.

Delegate Responsibilities.

You can’t possibly be good at everything – and have time for everything even if you are. If you need to spend more time writing but know you need to edit, proof, publish and market your book – and realize you can’t possibly do it all – get help! You may have to pay for it but it sure beats the alternative of staying stuck.

Realize Multi-Tasking is a Myth.

People (especially women) used to pride themselves on multi-tasking. But scientists are coming to find (and prove) that when you focus on more than one task at a time, you tend to do less and do less well. Mindfulness – focusing on one task at hand and doing it well – is much more effective.

Take Time for You.

It’s easy to feel anxious, worried and overwhelmed when you’re trying to balance everything when life gets hectic. Don’t lose your joy and peace. The day before this column was due, I had scheduled going to my “happy place” (the beach). I hadn’t been all summer, which made Michele a very sad girl. (All work no play…). Of course I knew I had to meet my deadline…so I scheduled time for writing this blog in before and after my beach day! You don’t want to end up having resentments and regrets about not having enough time for what’s important. Author Anna Quindlen said “I don’t like writing but I love having written.” Schedule time for what will make you happy in the long run. Have no regrets!

And finally, lest we forget, I pray that we all remember we are seeking only to do God’s Will and if we keep that in front of us, we will find everything we seek, including balance, joy, peace and a way to manage our time to best fulfill our purpose.  “…seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also…be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” (Luke 12:31-38).