I’ve been hit by a sudden attack of that middle of the day exhaustion.
The sort where you find yourself staring blankly at the computer monitor in front of you on your desk, fighting to keep your eyes open, and to not drift off into happy oblivion.
Thankfully, there’s just over an hour left in my work day. I’m not sure I’d make it if it was much longer.
Just over an hour, than a ten minute walk to the train, 40 minutes or so on the train (probably a bit more given the stampede crowds that are having me transfer on the opposite end of downtown from where I normally do), a 15 minute walk to my house, and then supper, cleaning, and flopping down on the couch to watch Grey’s Anatomy or The West Wing on my laptop for a couple hours before bed.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Hope Rising
There is an inexplicable stirring of hope in the deep places of my soul today.
It is unexpected, but so very welcome after several days of seemingly hopeless darkness.
It is unexpected, but so very welcome after several days of seemingly hopeless darkness.
I needed to hear this
A Time to Receive and a Time to Give
It is important to know when we can give attention and when we need attention. Often we are inclined to give, give, and give without ever asking anything in return. We may think that this is a sign of generosity or even heroism. But it might be little else than a proud attitude that says: "I don't need help from others. I only want to give." When we keep giving without receiving we burn out quickly. Only when we pay careful attention to our own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs can we be, and remain, joyful givers.
There is a time to give and a time to receive. We need equal time for both if we want to live healthy lives.
I really needed to hear these words from Henri Nouwen. The last several months I've come to a place of carefully limiting the amount of time in my life spent "giving." I've burnt out in the past from giving without having anywhere to receive. I've also learned that if I'm constantly giving I have no reserves left to walk through my own struggles, and usually end up in a puddle of tears, or sick in bed.
I love that we are designed to be reciprocal beings. Such a beautiful sense of balance designed into our very nature and into creation itself.
It is important to know when we can give attention and when we need attention. Often we are inclined to give, give, and give without ever asking anything in return. We may think that this is a sign of generosity or even heroism. But it might be little else than a proud attitude that says: "I don't need help from others. I only want to give." When we keep giving without receiving we burn out quickly. Only when we pay careful attention to our own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs can we be, and remain, joyful givers.
There is a time to give and a time to receive. We need equal time for both if we want to live healthy lives.
I really needed to hear these words from Henri Nouwen. The last several months I've come to a place of carefully limiting the amount of time in my life spent "giving." I've burnt out in the past from giving without having anywhere to receive. I've also learned that if I'm constantly giving I have no reserves left to walk through my own struggles, and usually end up in a puddle of tears, or sick in bed.
I love that we are designed to be reciprocal beings. Such a beautiful sense of balance designed into our very nature and into creation itself.
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