'Me' Time

As all of us know, we at times feel as though life gets us down.  For me, it does not happen often but when it does, I am filled with conflicting emotions that usually are expressed loudly as I vent my frustrations.   My family and friends can attest to my passion! Venting helps me to identify my feelings.  Then I am able to pinpoint what is happening that is within my control to change.

Years ago, a good friend gave me a suggestion that has served me well.  She explained that there are people who live their problems.  We all know people like this who just, no matter what, cannot do anything because they have to focus on the trials and tribulations in their life.  They are stuck in the mire of everyday living.

This soft spoken friend who's quiet demeanor calms as it reassures went on to suggest that since I was becoming a mother for the first time to make a change in my life that would help me if I would commit to doing it every day for the rest of my days.  Simple to say, not always easy to do.

She said 'Give yourself five minutes in the morning before your household wakes up.  Give yourself five minutes every day when you come home from work.  Get on your knees every night before you get into bed and give God five minutes in prayer.'

I have to admit that I laughed at her as she said it.  Not that I found it funny, but that I could not see how this would help me.  What happens in five minutes?  All of my problems go away?  All the answers just magically appear?  What?  Why?  My mind filled with questions on the effectiveness of what she suggested.

As I listened, I learned the specialness of what she was giving to me.  Five minutes in the morning before my household wakes up permits me to have quiet time, to be relaxed, to let go of my problems, to rejuvenate my mind.  It is a a reflective period.

Five minutes every evening when I get home allows me the time to let go of my work day and shift my focus onto my home life.  Letting me shelve my responsibilities and requirements from my employment so that I can transition my mind to my family's needs.

And, five minutes on my knees in prayer every night before I get into bed is one of the foundations of my Christian faith.  I take everything to God in prayer.  I talk to God.  The Holy Spirit fills me and strengthens my faith.  Every day, I say several prayers throughout the day but having this specific time gives me the opportunity to give everything to our Lord.  It has become the most favorite and important part of my day.

Let me tell you, it is not always possible to have my 'five minutes in the morning for 'me' time or my 'five minutes in the evening' either.  I always make time for my five minutes of prayer, no matter what.  Flexibility is possible for the other 'me' times, but I never go to sleep until I talk to God. 

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!  Your problems will stay with you until those problems are resolved.  If you live your problems, you are missing out on those precious treasures that life gives us.  Your family and friends need you to be more than a compilation of your trials and tribulations.  They need all that you can be, to fully share all of you with each of them.

So, simple to say, not always easy to do ... 'Five minutes of quiet time before your household wakes up each morning. Five minutes every evening when you get home from work.  And, most importantly, five minutes of prayer time with God every night before you go to sleep.'  Try it ... live it ... never let go of it.