I’d like to invite you to think about TIME. Do you feel anxiety-ridden trying to beat the clock? Are there so many things on your “to-do” list that your day is crammed full, so much so that you have no time to breathe? When you find yourself racing, who are you trying to please?
I’ve always hated racing the clock. Remember those darn time tests in school? Those were the pits! I never did well with them. When it came to applying for college I completely choked on my ACT test. Time seemed to have sucked my brain right out of my head! I was devastated. I had defined myself through school by my grades. Luckily, I went back to take the test a second time and did well enough to receive a scholarship.
Flunking that first ACT test was a reflection to how I felt about time in every aspect of my life. I believed that if I didn’t somehow beat the clock and get everything done perfectly and right then I would somehow be seen as a failure.
I carried my beliefs about TIME into motherhood. Boy, if you’re a mom, you know this race only creates anger, resistance, and a lot of lashing out at your kids. That’s no good.
I used to wake up first thing in the morning with my “to-do” list running in my head. It felt as though I flew out of bed each morning, never taking a much-needed breath. My heart raced, my head hurt, my body often shut down. I constantly felt as if I needed to cry. I felt so overwhelmed.
Gradually, over time, I surrendered to God my family and the need to do everything right. I allowed myself to follow my heart where God’s guidance resides instead of trying to please everyone else. The pressure finally let up. I had never felt so much freedom! However, as I moved deeper into my career with deadlines and timelines, that old TIME monster reared its ugly head again.
I turned to God one day and asked, “What can I do to help myself? Please help me. I open my heart to your healing.”
I felt a strong desire to write all of my feelings. I had to get them out on paper, anger and all. I wrote about the times I heard my parents yelling at me to hurry up. Then I wrote about homework and time tests. I heard a question in the back of my head, “What happens if I don’t do things in a certain time frame?” The answer I received was that I would get punished. Well, that was when I was a kid. If there’s any punishing going on now, it’s because I’m doing it to myself!
I had a good cry and said, “Okay, God. I’m ready to receive your guidance.” That’s when I finally discovered the sure-fire cure to deal with time issues:
ASK GOD TO MAKE YOUR “TO-DO” LIST! QUIT THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND WHO YOU HAVE TO PLEASE. ALLOW GOD TO BE THE GUIDE OF YOUR LIFE!
This message was absolutely the simplest message I had ever heard. I looked back on all of the times when I thought I knew how my life was supposed to go on a particular day. That was my fear and ego talking.
I asked, “God, please show me my “to-do” list that is for the highest good today.”
The answer came with just the right amount of things to do…update my website calendar, write a newsletter, and a few other things. One message was to up my water intake to 12 glasses a day. I had been feeling that my body needed more water, but had not heeded the message. Now I definitely would!
I followed the guidance that first day and was amazed at how smoothly my day went. Now I know how critical it is for me to take the TIME for myself each morning and surrender my day to God.
Whether you’re a mom, a dad, an office worker, you name it, this tool is one of the simplest and easiest tools that I’ve ever used. Here are a few steps to guide you:
1.Sit down in a quiet spot first thing in the morning with pen and paper.
2.Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
3.Visualize the crown of your head opening up and a beautiful golden light pouring into it and flooding throughout your body.
4.Say, “Higher Consciousness, I command you to release any negative energy that isn’t my truth.” This is your free will. At any moment you choose, you can release old dark energy. Just imagine it draining off of you.
5.Next, take your pen and paper and write a “good morning” note to God. You can write notes of gratitude here if you like. Then, here’s the key point, write, “God, I give myself permission to open up and receive your guidance now. Please give me my ‘to-do’ list for the day that is for the highest good.”
6.Switch the pen to your less-dominant hand and allow God’s message to come through you. By switching the pen to your “other” hand, you open up your brain to tap into higher wisdom.
7.Give thanks for the healing and then follow the steps you’ve been given.
God will only give you what you can handle. If you find yourself questioning the path you’ve been shown, sit down, breathe, and imagine handing over the reins of your life to God. Surrender and go back to your list. If you find yourself adding and deleting things, ask yourself who you are trying to please. Put God first above everything and everyone. When you do this, your life will flow and you'll have time to do loving, wonderful things not only for your family, but you'll also have time for yourself.
You may find yourself struggling with this whole process at first. It’s okay. Give yourself a break. You’ll trust it more once you’ve done it a few times and see that it really works.
Time doesn’t have to be your enemy! It is simply a way for you to see yourself and create a greater connection to God. Have fun with this. Step into trust and allow God to be the guide of your life!
Wishing you all the time in the world to live, laugh and love,
Terri
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