I don’t know about you but I sure could use a reset. It’s so easy to let the busyness and details of ordinary life choke out the beauty that hovers all around us. I did a mental (and physical) reset a couple weeks ago and I’m so glad I did. Do you ever just wish you could push a button and get a do-over? Well, you can and I hereby give you full permission. You’ll be surprised at how much joy you’ll find on the other side. There are a hundred ways to do it but here are the 5 I started with:
1. Remember
Don’t forget why we’re here. This hum-drum day is not about you. Wanna put some life and excitement back into everyday living? So do I. So, I have to remember who it’s all for. This is for them. This is for her. This is for you. Push reset on your life and walk back into it with fresh perspective. This day is so much better when I live it for someone else. Surprise someone with extraordinary, uncalled-for kindness and service today.
2. Rearrange
I cannot tell you the life and inspiration that comes from just physically moving things around. As you do your Spring cleaning, try removing everything from the surfaces and rethinking where to put them back. Move them to another room. Put them away for while. Do the same thing when you clean out your refrigerator. (Yes, I think you should totally clean it out and rearrange everything. It worked wonders for me!)
Don’t be afraid to shake it all up. Move chotch-keys and pieces of furniture and even where you keep the ketchup. It will help you see your space in a whole new light. Like a small epiphany right in the middle of a regular old Wednesday. I took everything off (nearly) every surface in my living room yesterday and rearranged it all. It feels like a whole new space to me. (Just in time for Miss Paige to come visit!)
(And the red bud blooms I cut and stuck in a vase have already brought me endless delight!)
3. Revel
I talked about the magic of porches and that would be the perfect place to revel. To sit for a good long while and marvel at all the everyday miracles you take for granted. To think about how magnificent it is to plant a bulb in the ground in November and then watch the most charming tulip race to bloom. To laugh until your sides hurt. To sit face to face and give someone your full attention. To savor every last bite of supper and then kiss the one who made it for you. No, I mean really kiss.
4. Reconnect
I’ve been struggling recently. I’ve been doing a lot of writing about my past and it brings up SO MUCH junk. So many things I was sure I had thoroughly dealt with, so many memories, and often some pain. I’ve been intentionally connecting and reconnecting with people that inspire me or help me remember or fill me up. Make a date with your spouse or your mom or your ten year old. Call an old friend. Email that person that inspires you. Life is about the people and we need to tell them how much they mean to us.
5. Rest
It’s important. Get some. And rest comes in all forms. For me, it comes when I’m curled up with a good book. Or when I’m listening to good music. Or when I’m making a big pot of soup. And ironically enough, it often comes on the heels of hard earned sweat. Find that thing that gives you more energy and make a date.
Have you done a Spring reset? Tell me all about it. This list needs to be much longer!
You’re speaking to my heart with this one as you so often do. I constantly look for ways to change my perspective and truly see what’s around me. Every day I learn to ignore the negative and focus on the positive, being grateful for every thing that I have.
Something that really helps me change my perspective during daily mundane tasks is to focus not on the chore I’m currently doing but feeling grateful for the house I have to clean, the clothes I have to wash, and the people I have to feed. Whatever negative thing you come across during the day, I’m sure there’s a positive spin or a blessing mixed into it somewhere.
And I love that quote!!
Oh that we would have eyes to see!
Mucho love,
edie
🙂
So much truth here – My favorite recharging moments are often in my own home, BY MYSELF, rearranging entire rooms! I also need moments of absolute laughter, great tunes, and freedom to be myself. It takes so much from you when you have to make sure you are the “you” you believe others want to see. I am especially grateful for the reminder to think about my “Compassion kids”. I have four and sometimes Satan even uses them to make me feel like I don’t do enough – I don’t write often enough, I don’t pray often enough……… Wouldn’t make it a day without grace. Thanks for the reminder.
It’s all grace.
Yes, indeed.
xoxo
Oh Edie, I’ve been praying for #4 for myself. I’ve found myself walking thru the journey of my past, letting go, forgiving, sobbing, and loving. When you’re on that journey of awakening in your soul I’ve found it’s hard to be mentally present in the now. Reveling in the now, the flowers, the bird’s song, the eyes and souls of my children is what I desire.
Thank you dear Edie for these wise words. Your blog is an immense encouragement to me.
Such difficult soul-stretching work.
Praying for you friend.
xoxo
Love your post! All so true! You blog is always a true joy to read. I just am not very good about leaving comments. Happy Wednesday!
Well so nice to *meet* you Lynda! And happy day to you, too!
xoxo
I’ve recently had a reset and am realizing that life passes by to quickly to be so busy all the time with things that really matter very little. I’ve decided to purposely slow down and enjoy people, specifically family. It’s a struggle sometimes to remember how important it is to not be too busy so I think it will be a slow transformation for me, but a good one if I stick with it. (I’m also feeling motivated to clean out my fridge so I can actually see what all I have in there! Feeding people is one of my favorite ways to love on people even though I’m not much of a cook!)
Dear Edie,
As I sit here writing this I am struck by how powerful words are and how deeply the absence of words can affect us as well. I just want to thank you…. for speaking out words of love and encouragement, for opening yourself, for being obedient in listening to the Lord’s prompting, for helping to bring healing to a weary soul, and for grace. Its so powerful and so healing.
Thank you!
I love reading your words, such a great reminder of things we should do – but usually forget about. Thank you for the recharge this morning.
Thank you Edie, for everything you have given to this fabulous blog of yours. I’m officially a fan.
Oh, this is perfect. Thank you so much for this fabulous reminder.
Edie,
You have a great gift my dear.
You write in a way that allows each of us (at least me!) to feel as if your words truly are a message from God. This post, as well as many others, comes at just the moment I needed it. It fell on my shoulders and heart like cool water on a parched throat. It fed me in ways I did not know I needed.
Don’t stop doing this work. It is missionary work really, for all of us who think we don’t need for anything that a missionary could provide. We of the first world. We of the land of air conditioning, fifty kinds of shampoos, and a Starbucks gold card…
Thank you.
Beautiful words and a wonderful reminder to take a step back from life once in a while and just revel in the blessings that the Lord bestows upon us.
May you have a blessed day!
YES!!!! Tolstoy got it right sista and so did you!!!!! It is such a great time to hit the reset button!! This week I have done just that. I had a full afternoon coffee date with a long time friend (but also one whom there is so much to learn from) on Monday. This momma is a wealth of wisdom, and since they moved to town we don’t see them nearly as much as we would like. Her on my porch with a cup of coffee talking deep theology was soul food. I also cleaned out our chicken’s home, and while that sounds completely opposite of what we are talking about, just being out there with my feathered friends and sprucing up their nest brings me such joy and perspective. I have so much respect for those ladies!! And finally, I sent the girls off to work on a display board while I completely re-decor-anged the school room and spruced it up to make it inspiring again, all while listening to an Andrew Kern podcast. Freshness in the school room is always food for my soul (as is Andrew Kern)!!! This has been a much needed rejuvenation for me as I have been with the winter blues even though spring has finally sprung down South!! Praise the Lord for these small ways that we can reset to see His beauty in this glorious life He has given us!!!
Edie, thanks so much for again sharing your heart so openly. I know I sound like a broken record when I say you’ve done “it” again for me – reminding me that it is a necessity to stop – to pause – to look about – to get our bearings – to remember why we are here. Rearranging and Reconnecting really resonate with me. So I am off to noodle on this one – and then do some switching around and then calling an old friend.
On another subject entirely, it seems you and I have an affinity for using busts in our decor. I’ve had a “Napoleon” bust for years – first it was bisque – then I painted him flat black – now I am thinking perhaps a really wild orchid – like Pantone’s Color of the Year. My hubs thinks I am crazy!
You inspire me! We’ve been studying Matthew in BSF and today the reoccurring theme in discussion was being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and then using our gifts when the opportunity presents itself. And when God asks us to do something hard, to have faith He knows what He’s doing and respond in obedience whether we understand it or not. I can’t help but think that you have responded in obedience and using your gifts to glorify Him and encourage us. I guess it doesn’t make a lot of practical sense to quit a extremely helpful profession you spent so long preparing for. But neither did it seem practical for Mary to pour the precious perfume from the alabaster jar over our Savior’s head and feet. God’s economy is not like ours.
Orlando was my season of soul-streching work…revisiting the house that built me and some of the hurts that came my way from my past.
so worth it..every tear shed…every encounter with it has made me more reliant..more dependent on him and more thankful for his grace!
A reset sounds fabulous. And thanks for sharing in what simple ways we can do this.
Makes me want to rest and breathe anew.
Have a beautiful day!
soooooooo, needed this today. I’m off to take a nap….Thank you 🙂
Love these ideas! This post was just what I needed today! 🙂
If I were to add to the list- I would add “Recharge”. I need to recharge my batteries both physicially and spiritually. For me, that comes from a good run (with or without music), praying my heart out to God. It is amazing how I can feel so invigorated and ready to face any challenges that the day may bring. Moving my tush (no matter how slow I am or silly I may look), speaking to the Lord, and in the quiet, letting Him speak to me get me there.
Thanks for all you write, Edie. Your words have many times struck a chord deep in my soul.
Love it. So true.
Yes!
Oh, sweet Edie, the past has so many haunts! But, from a person who I admire so, Beth Moore, those hurtful pasts were allowed by our Savior, not because He wanted to hurt us, but in the BIGGER plan, it would be part of His plan in orchestrating His will. Our pasts help mold us into what we are, make us stronger by what we have experienced, make us compassionate to others who are suffering as we have suffered, allow us to grow in love and learn to forgive. If we can’t do that, oh my…we will be eat up with bitterness. We can let it go and by His power forgive, but I doubt we can ever completely forget. When we all meet in heaven, I wonder if we’ll remember or will the memories be only a shadow. I love you to pieces, dear one! Just remember, especially in this season, that Christ forgave even the ones who hung Him on the cross! You and Miss Paige have a roarin’ good time, and I SO WISH I COULD COME!!! Maybe next time! Get some rest, drink some tea, and rock on the porch…
I will give her a big smooch for you.
I CAN’T WAIT til she gets here! The pizza dough is rising as we speak.
Mucho love,
edie
p.s. YES! You must join us next time!
Hi Edie!
I look forward to your posts everyday!
You inspire me creatively, mentally and spiritually. Just so happened I connected with a fiend today over lunch, so nice taking the time to catch up.
Also cleaned out my closet on Tue…. Ahhh that’s refreshing. Winter clothes put away spring is now front and center. Was so inspired I went out shopping and found a few new items.
P.S. Inspired by you…I am now the proud owner of a bust, still working on a name for her.
Yay! ALL the love to you!
xoxo
I ain’t even read it yet but I just gotta say one thing first; the baptists would be so proud love you more than a covered dish dinner
WHEN are you coming to Bean Station, young lady?!
xoxo
Thank you, Edie, for always sharing your deepest heart…it moves me to thought, and many times, action. Can’t wait to rearrange my chotch-keys! And read a little while the soup is cooking.
YES!!
xoxo
Well written, Edie. Simple things that we all can – and should – do. Thanks for the reminders to live each day that God has given us to the fullest!
Awwww, thank you so much, Kristen.
Much love!
xoxo
Thank you, Edie. I have read and re-read this post and love every word. We all need reminders to slow down, to breath, to enjoy the moments. I enjoy and look forward to reading your beautiful words with each post. You are truly an inspiration.
You bless me, dear!
🙂
{Melinda} Living life on purpose. All great tips for making that happen in the midst of our busy routines. For me, #5 is key. When I’m not able to make room for rest both mentally and physically, I’m less able to do any of the other four.