Most of us lead pretty diverse and busy lives- by the end of July I will have been in 4 countries in 2 months. I am sure you have lots on your plate as well if you’re living and breathing in this fast paced world. Even keeping up with twitter, instagram, facebook, linkedin, and all the other social media sites can fill your day and world alone. What priorities should you be paying attention to? Here’s my top 3:
1.) Quiet Time
I can’t function without it. Make it a priority in your life. Besides traveling, running a production company, having a personal life, writing a blog and monthly newsletter at influencewomen.com/women, as well as co-directing the ASCEND Conference ascendconference.org each year (I do sleep only occasionally!) I have to feed myself first from above and deep within me. I led and directed Christian Women in Media (CWIMA) on the CBS Studio lot for a couple years. Two outstanding speakers that came and shared were DeAnna Gravillis and Christine Caine, These two leading women are doing some significant and challenging work in their fields. DeAnna and her husband Kenny are co-founders of Gravillis Inc. (gravillisinc.com) a leading design company focused on “key art” for top clients like Sony, Universal, 20th Century Fox, HBO and others. Her day starts early with 2 kids and 2 dogs, and a demanding office schedule. She said her key to keeping it together was her 45 minutes of quiet time every morning at 5am. I know that Christine Caine does the same and more everyday as she fights the battles in the unseen and seen world of sex trafficking with her ministry the A21 Campaign (A21campaign.com). I would encourage you to make time. Recent studies show that if you spend 4 days or more reading your Bible weekly you will make more positive and significant choices in your life over someone who never reads the Word at all. And… it has to be the Bible, not a commentary, self-help book on Christian life, or even attending a weekly church service. These all enhance your time but God wants you to get to know Him intimately. He wants to spend time with you alone and talk to you personally.
2.) Me Time
This doesn’t have to be a lot of time, maybe, as little as 15 minutes a day. It could be a hair or nail appointment, exercise time (love my hikes), coffee with a friend, or a good soak in the bathtub. Yes, I know you heard all this before, but are you doing it? Why is it so hard to take time for ourselves? Taking time to eat right, exercise, and take care of your body should not be negated in your busy life.
Romans 12:1 says “present your body as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God.” Not a body with blood shot eyes, greasy hair, and smelly sweats. Look, and present yourself to your husband, family, friends, and business associates in the best “package” you can. Your look, style, and outward appearance is a reflection on them. If you don’t “care” about the way you look, then you are in effect saying you don’t care about them either.
3.) Brain Time
When was the last time you read a book, saw a play, or went to a museum? Whenever Phil and I are in a new city, or country, and have an afternoon free, you’ll find us at a museum, or our second favorite tourist spot, the local antique, book, or flea market. We love exploring because we never know what we’ll find in the back of one of these places or what we will learn about some weird item that we find. And… don’t get me started on the stories we hear from the shop and stall owners. I also find that giving back to a charity is another way to renew my mind. Seeing how other people live, or helping someone in need renews my perspective on what is really important in life. I recently learned how to frame a house while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. I love learning new things (last month I became a card carrying scuba diver), but I have to make myself do things that I naturally want to resist. Keeping up with technology is one of my top struggles. But, when I do, I find it revives me by stretching and pushing my brain muscle to experience new insights and to grow and mature. Add movies, plays and concerts to your list. Yes, you’ll see and hear some weird stuff occasionally, but the conversation that follows is stimulating. It’s great food for thought and sometimes… personal action.
Now excuse me, the water in the tub is hot and I just started a new book.
