Stop the Clock

Realize you don’t have to do it all.

I recently got done with a large event for a local charity. The time leading up to, during, and even after the event were extremely stressful. And all I could think about during prep, action, and afterwards was everything that went wrong, could have been improved, or should have done differently. I am sure we have all felt like this at some point in our lives.

Even in the aftermath of the event, one would think you would be relieved and ready to just sit back and relax, right? I couldn’t. If anything, I felt even more weight on myself to do better and all these different ideas and thoughts flooded my mind about what to change, add, or improve for next year. Mentally I was already exhausted, not to mention the physical exhaustion that ties deeply into the mental exhaustion.

It's hard for me to let go, to cast the worry away, to let the stress die down…but I realize that this is exactly what I need to do, and once I do it my mind will clear, and I will be even more productive than before. I realize that “being in charge” doesn’t mean I have to do it all. There is support every which way you turn. Friends, family, neighbors, God…all willing to lend a hand, share the weight, and help create order amongst what we may think is chaos. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, it just means taking a breathe, a step back, a mental day off where everything you do has no purpose beyond “just because”.

Especially in our world today, with all of the hustle and bustle of work, family, private lives, social obligations, hobbies, and to do lists, it is so important for your mental health, physical health, and spiritual health to realize you don’t have to do it all. Nor do you have to do it all right away. Even taking a moment to collect yourself will seemingly reset the clock and slow down the stopwatch you carry with you at all times. So, I encourage you to do that.

Stop the clock. Breathe. Give a quick thanks that you have that event to worry about, the family to take care of, your job to tire you out…give thanks for it all and then just reset yourself with a moment of mediation.

Let us Pray-

Thank you God for giving us such a complicated world filled with endless moments, opportunities, experiences, and more. Help us to remember to calm ourselves when we feel overwhelmed, to wrap ourselves with your love and to just meditate and breathe for a moment of peace when needed. Be with us in times of stress, hardship, and worry, and help us to overcome them by putting our faith into your plan and your will. Remind us that you are there for support amongst the many loved ones that surround us. Amen.