Is your to-do list long, where it would take a full staff to get to the bottom of it by year-end? Do you feel like everyone is pulling so tightly, you can hardly breathe? Maybe you are finding it hard to slow down or say “no” to another request? If so, my guess is you might have the “Busy Disease.”
Let me introduce you to someone who used to have this ailment. Mrs. Busy is her name. Here is what she would tell you.
I love being busy. Sometimes I even convince myself that I thrive on being busy. I love accomplishing, and especially the sound of the ding on my computer of another task completed. Yes, I am guilty of putting something on my list solely to cross it off. Being busy helps me to feel useful, productive, and oh so relevant. When leaving my home, the big question is, do I have my black bag? After all, no one should get caught waiting somewhere without a bag of things to accomplish.
One would think, with all of our modern-day conveniences, we would now have more time to enjoy life. But we all know that hasn’t happened. Instead, we now believe we can add more to our already busy schedule. Society even encourages it. We get kudos for just how many things we can juggle.
Don’t you stand in amazement at others who are more productive than you?
Today, we juggle work, kids, church, social events, and more. We shoot to be super mom, amazing church lady, terrific everything. From society, we receive pats on the back, and we are told how great we are for all which we accomplish. But pause with me for a minute – are we missing something? Aren’t we exhausted! Inside we are screaming for a different way of life, even if it is only for a moment. Do we have the “busy disease”?
Not too long ago, my family would insist on turning the lights off when I joined them for a TV show. Lights off meant I couldn’t work and watch at the same time. Multi-tasking was impossible in the dark.
So I began to ponder, – Are we all missing something in our everyday life, in our relationships? Could we be longing for something more and not even be aware of it. Was the “busy disease” robbing us of what was most important?
Maybe I was missing something that would give me a more profound sense of peace in my ordinary day. I wasn’t sure that I was missing anything because I typically see the positive aspects of life.
So I set out on a quest for something different. Right smack dab in the middle of busy, I would pause, be in the present moment, and embrace all it had to offer.
You have to try it – It is magical!
Stop – right where you are.
Breathe in and slowly exhale.
Be in this moment.
Look for and capture the moments of blessings all around you.
As I began to learn this new way, the world took on an entirely new look. I started to notice the way the trees swayed in the wind, and the leaves glistened and fluttered on the trees. How the sun warms my skin on a bright day. The way children sound when laughing. I felt and heard the joy of people greeting each other. As I looked all around me, the colors became vibrant. And life became sweeter.
One must be careful if you blink, you might miss these beautiful moments. They are moments that will pass you by because you are not paying attention. You can’t plan for them, nor can you anticipate them. You must look for them and embrace them.
These are moments that quiet the soul, connect one with God, and bring a wave of peace that is indescribable. And to think – it is right there in the present moment, but you have to pause long enough to capture it.
Even amid some incredibly painful moments, I have caught the moments of blessings. Sometimes it is just a smile that warms my soul. I am confident you, too, can find these extraordinary moments of blessings wherever you are.
Stop – right where you are.
Breathe in and slowly exhale
Be in this moment.
Look for and capture the moments of blessings all around you.
These blessings will surely bring peace of mind, encouragement, strength, love, and so much more, even if it is only for the moment in time when you paused.
I am sure those closest to me would still argue I have the “Busy Disease,” and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. However, I am work in progress, and I capture a lot more moments of blessing which enrich my life and give me so much more value than the ding of another task completed.
Believe it or not, we can expect the moments of blessings, but we have to slow down long enough to look for them. Otherwise, we will miss them.
What moment have you captured this week? Do you have the “busy disease”?
Join Us
Discover What It Means to Be Still
Click here for more on the topic.
We would love to have you join our community.
Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee
Subscribe today and never miss a post.
I’ve been known to write something on my to-do list that I’ve already done. There’s just something about crossing it off!! 😉
Thanks for linking up with us at Literacy Musing Mondays!
Brandi – I am so glad I am not the only one that does that. Nice to not be alone. Maree
At times I am on the other side, and there is just as much guilt. I love to sit and read for hours, but then I feel like others are doing more than me. They must be doing things I should too, right? But no, I am learning there is a time to work and a time to rest. Both are good!
Sarah – You are so correct, there is a time to work and a time to rest. Interesting comment – I plan on doing a series soon on guilt. I love it when you stop by and comment. Blessings, Maree
Words of wisdom here this morning, Maree! Let’s lay aside all that’s clamoring for our attention and focus on the needful things that breathe life.
Good to meet you from over at Holley’s …
Linda – I love your beautiful words. “focus on the needful things that breathe life.” Nice to meet you too. Maree
Maree, so many of us have this busy disease. Especially as we get older and have more responsibility. Am reading Present of Perfect by Shauna Neiquest who talks about this and slowing down. Also recently read What Alice Forgot (a novel) where a women bumps her head and can’t remember the last ten years. And when people describe her as now so busy and organized she can’t believe they are talking about her.
I used to cross stitch while watching TV and then I would say, what just happened? And my daughter would say, Mom, just pay attention and then you will know. Glad to say I quit that habit.
I know my to-do list will never be finished or accomplished and am trying to slow down and not stress so much.
I know getting outside really helps me slow down and forget my supposedly so important tasks. LOL
Theresa – I love that book, “Present over Perfect” you are reading. I probably need to read it again. I am going to add the book Alice Forgot wrote to my reading list. It sounds intriguing. Thank you for sharing.
I am getting more comfortable with my to-do list not being finished. I just choose not to look at it.
I too love getting outside. I also try to turn all electronics off on Sunday until 5.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Maree
Dear Marek Dee, is there a woman in America who hasn’t been affected by the “busy disease”? I love that your family began enforcing lights out. What a great way of showing how much they value you and your attention. I’ve taken up crocheting this summer, scarves for the grandkids for Christmas. It allows me to feel productive, but doesn’t rob my husband of my attention. Blessings and thanks for the affirmation to just stop and let God’s blessings wash over us.
Alice,
You won’t believe this, but I have a few friends that have incredible balance. I have learned so much from them.
I love how you put a positive twist on my busyness. It did make me stop and realize, wow my family does value my attention. It could be so different!
Crocheting sounds fantastic. I am glad you found a way, so your husband doesn’t feel robbed of attention. I would love to see what you make.
Thank you for insightful and encouraging words.
Blessings, Maree
This post speaks to right where I’m at. I never thought of myself as someone who couldn’t sit still, except now I am that person. I’ve always got something that needs to be done and I’m doing it. Last week I realized something has to give. I also realized that I don’t enjoy quiet moments like I used to because I have allowed my cell phone to become a distraction.
So last Friday my husband and I took a much needed mental health day and oh what a difference. My anxiety level plummeted. And I too am trying to just stop and breathe and take everything in and not be distracted by things that don’t really matter.
Thanks for this edifying post.
Karen,
I am so glad this spoke right to where you are at. I love it when that happens. You and I sound a lot alike.
How wonderful you and your husband took a day together. You have given me an idea. THank you!
Hope you have a blessed week,
Maree
The encouragement to embrace those moments of blessing, to stop and drink in God’s glory and goodness all around us is so good. I am bad at that day to day, but what you said here made me think of the most AMAZING sunset we saw last week. It was just indescribably stunning, and stopping to take a picture of it was one of the best moments all week. To God be the glory!
What a great reminder of God’s glory. I am so glad you stopped to enjoy and take a picture. I cherish those moments. Blessings, Maree
Thanks for sharing this post. I have a tendency to over-schedule even my free time, so I’ve got lots of work to do here!
Michele – Thank you for your comment. It was nice to know I am not the only one that schedules their free time. Happy Monday! Maree
I’m a work in progress on recovering from the busy disease, too. It’s a slow recovery!
Jerralea – You are not alone in your recovery. I too find it slow and close to impossible. Once again I have allowed it to creep into my life. Yikes. Thank you for stopping by. Blessings, Maree
Wow, Maree! This hit home and to the heart. No, it hasn’t happened and we aren’t freed up to enjoy life. “Busy” seems to be worse than ever. And it’s how the enemy wants it for all of us. One truth the Lord taught me, Christianity isn’t about busyness but about doing the Father’s business. I’m still a work in progress, yet, God’s changing me. Blessings!
Karen – I too am a work in progress. So true what you said, it should be about doing our Father’s business. I find I manage to mix that one up too. I see so many opportunities to do God’s work, yet I forget to make sure it was me he called. Thanks for stopping by. Maree
Thanks Maree for these reminders. Over the last few years and most especially this year, I’m trying to be more present and manage my ‘busy’. I’m currently reading ‘Doing Busy Better’ by Glynnis Whitwer, you would love it!! She echoes the same sentiments you have here. Happy to stop by from #HeartEncouragement today!
Jill – Thank you for the book recommendation. I have added it to my reading list. Do you have a magical tip to slowing down? Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Nothing magical-just focused effort & attention to listening to His whispers in my life and where and what to focus on.
Jill,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Maree
Hi Maree! I’m your neighbor today at #livefreethursday! I think we blog about very similar things…I’m always trying to get myself to focus on the here-and-now and not get lost in the daily onslaught of to-dos and stress. Thanks for the reminder to look at what’s right in front of you!
Amy, Thank you for stopping by. I am going to have to hop on over to your blog and see what you write about. I have had so much going on lately the here and now keeps slipping away. FOCUS TIME. Maree