I was relaxing and looking on Pinterest and came across a common theme. Lose 40 lbs in 3 weeks! I laughed because that is not healthy. Grow hair faster, day 1 (neck length) day 20 (ankle length! I laughed because, really is that a thing? The more I scrolled the more I thought, jeez everything is a quick fix here.
We live in a "now" mentality. Everything has to be quick, immediate results, and let's bypass the process. Yet, life is full of process. We fully understand that we should not drop 35 lbs in 4 weeks, and if we do there are risk. We know taking the time to put the work and energy into changing our lifestyle, will not only keep the weight off, but ultimately will improve our overall health.
There is this odd dichotomy; as we live in the now we are really thinking of the future. Why do you need to drop the weight? For a wedding, birthday, summer is coming etc. So when I break this down at its core, I am worrying about tomorrow instead of resting in today. When I first wake up on my off days, usually I am already thinking about every thing that needs to be done. I usually get halfway through my To Do List, and something that can usually take a backseat sets in my mind. For example, in a few months I want to convert to hardwood floors; now I am on the computer researching companies, floor colors, looking up reviews. Three hours have passed, to do list is incomplete and it's time for dinner, walking dogs, etc. I spent 3 hours of today fixated on a project that is months away. Meanwhile, today's "To Do List" remains undone.
I was reading my daily devotional and the scripture Matt 6:34- So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it's own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. This resonated with me because I am always thinking of what is to come. Not planning, which is different than worry. Just truly sitting in a head space of "what about this, and how is that going to work out" and down the rabbit hole we go.
I will go back to the weight loss example, I remember a trainer saying; Just focus on being successful today, and take everyday like that and before you know it you have a weeks worth of success. Makes totally sense, but somehow it is the hardest thing to execute. We confuse worry with planning. Making a plan consist of a list of actions to be executed, while worry consist of thoughts of "what if".
My challenge, and that it will be, for today and the upcoming week will be to rest in the present. It does us no good to worry about things we cannot change, it adds no years to our lives. It does no good to fast forward through the process, because most of the time we find it actually delays us further.
May you be at peace in this moment and enjoy today.
Live, Laugh, Love, and Rest
P.S After writing this entry I looked back and read through prior entries. This theme and scripture appears in 2 other post. I guess this is a season of recognition and reminder to cast all my cares (worries) on him for he cares for me.
