Love is Kind

Waking up this morning after a slightly hectic hockey weekend away, I was feeling a tad overwhelmed. In three days we are leaving for a week to travel to Phoenix, Arizona to soak up some sun. But thinking about the next three days, and everything that I have on my plate can easily make me feel overwhelmed. I am looking at the eight loads of laundry which have accumulated in just two days (how is this even possible?). Not to mention the ninth load which is the weekly bedding change.

I am thinking about the pets, all five of them, and trying to figure out how they will be cared for while we’re away. I am thinking about packing, pulling out the summer clothes again, and hoping the kids still fit into them. They seem to be growing so quickly.

Each component of leaving adds a little bit of thought, and when I make the list and look at it in a whole, it seems like too much.

I brew my cup of coffee, light my candle and sit. I am in front of a beautifully lit Christmas tree. I am reminded to take a deep breath, and instead of overwhelming myself, I remember to look for inspiration.

The first thought to come to mind, for some reason, was the script: “Love is patient, love is kind…” from 1 Corinthians 13:47. Why was this was my first thought? I decided I needed direction. I needed to be reminded to be grateful for today, and not to look too far ahead, to remember that this moment is really being wasted on worry.

I then glance at my TV stand, and sitting on top was love. This was it – I decided that today I would count the signs of love that I notice. Within only 10 minutes, I recognized four. These words are always here, nothing in my home has changed, except my perception. 

Each separate love is a reminder. It’s a sign to focus on only that and nothing else. It’s amazing how my mood and feelings change so quickly when I refocus my energy.

Everyday life can be easily filled with the feelings of stress, overwhelm, rush, worry, and fear. We are programmed to always be on point. To remember everything, and to always be on time. 

Life doesn’t change, we will always be faced with this. But we can change our train of thought. We can break it down to be simpler. We can put less pressure on ourselves and tackle one thing at a time. It’s the only way to be efficient. And it helps manage the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Let go of the fear, the worry, the rush, and focus on all the amazing little moments and signs that are pointing us in the right direction.

As I have been going about my day, I feel content. Today is Monday, the beginning of a new week, full of new inspiration, new ideas, and much to look forward to. 

Written by: Krystle Rhea; Just Breathe Mama