It is Crazy World Out There Find Time for Yourself
By Abel M. Gebreyesus, BA, MHI, LSSGB
A couple years ago in one March break week, I was with my kids in one Indigo book store. We sat there; and I grab one book and start to read and read. To be honest, I was reading a book after a long time; and I can still remember that day’s delightful feeling and how I really missed reading.
I shared this story to one of my friends.
“Reading?”
“Yes reading!!!”
“How do you get enjoyment from reading?” he was flabbergasted.
I lost for words on how to express that enjoyment. Still I can’t!
See? Life in Western world is always about running and catching up! Waking up in the morning - fast, everything fast…. having breakfast, running and going to the car; driving and driving fast… and have a full or more than full day of work, coming back home (driving); and depending
on your situation either deal with kids, deal with assignments (if you are student), deal withhouse responsibilities…… go to bed with the mind and the body already worn out. After the night full of snoring (obviously from overly fatigued mind and body) passed, the morning arrives with new day. That is the 24 hour cycle of the “catch up” life of ours. Same routine, again and again….and life goes like that.
And then there is this digital thing that makes our life easier but tighter. Respond to emails (fast); respond to texts (fast), respond to calls…. check the news online, check the weather, check the market, check the groceries.. all in the button of the fingers. All easier, but tighter. The body and the mind is always in strain.
That’s why we don’t have time to sit back and think, reflect, plan, appreciate and being grateful. I am not here to preach reading is good. Yes, we all know about it; but I am saying…. how about if we sit back for a moment and have a time to appreciate life in any format, either by reading books, walking in such nice weather, going to
gym….. and above all appreciate our life with personal prayer. Some call it Yoga; but meditation is another form of appreciating one’s life and talk to ourselves and doing a conversation with God.
With all his popularity and “busy schedule”, as we call it now, Jesus was an example to find a time for himself. The scripture tells how He loves to be alone and meditate: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him. And when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’.” (Mark 1: 35-37) In fact, Jesus was looking for himself. Often, he “withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
So, it is crazy world out there, full of destructions, gadgets, social media, nonstop advertisement ……. In the midst of all such craziness, try to find a time for yourself – to talk to God – for the sake of your sanity!!!
