Strategies for Reclaiming My Wellbeing

Per my father in law’s suggestion, I’ve decided to slow down enough to take time to read. Gary offered his advice a couple of Sundays ago as we gathered around their table for breakfast, a weekly ritual Terri and I began after her sister’s death. It’s part of my ongoing effort to rearrange my life and prioritize things (and people) that matter.

I recently realized that I need to exercise care in what I give my time to, otherwise life goes so fast that I can quickly miss out on my time with God as well as those relationships in my life that matter the most. I learned that I need to be disciplined to avoid filling up my calendar with non-essential, non-negotiable, life draining commitments. People are always willing to put something on your calendar. I’m the guiltiest people of all.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

I had registered for a week-long chaplain training course about 40-45 minutes from my house. When I signed up, I was looking forward to the class. But, as Terri reminded me, I was on a frenzy to fill up the sudden downtime I had due to going on a sabbatical from my current job. This was a bad plan. As the week approached, the knot in my stomach grew and the weight on my shoulders pressed down on my spirit. Fortunately, I was able to get a raincheck for a future training. The relief I felt after I got word that I could postpone my class was profound.

I am taking a couple of online courses while I am out. One is a class through Boston College’s Clough School of Theology and Ministry called Grief, Loss, and the Creative Arts. We meet every two weeks for a couple of months. I’m also enrolled in a six-week course through Soul Care focusing on strengthening my soul. Both of these are worthwhile endeavors because they focus on pouring in rather than pouring out. Combined with my weekly drawing class, all this turns out to be quite enough. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Per my father-in-laws wise suggestion, I’ve discovered that reading is part of refilling my cup. To be clear, I’ve always been a reader. It’s something my mom instilled in me early on. I believe good readers make for good writers (usually).

What am I reading?

That’s a GREAT question. I thought you’d never ask.

I am blessed with a number of choices, including several that friends have given me (more about that in a future post). What I finally landed on is a book that tells the story of Eugene Peterson titled A Burning in My Bones.

Eugene, as you may recall, is an American theologian, author, and the force behind The Message Bible, a paraphrase of the Good Book in modern English. Throughout his life, Peterson wore many different hats.

As I turn each page, I am rewarded with a sense of peace, as my mind shifts from my problems to the life of this spiritual Christian powerhouse.

Reading actually benefits our health.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Engaging with a book serves as an escape from our daily worries, helps lower stress levels and promotes relaxation. Did you know that studies show that reading can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to a calmer state of mind.

Enhances Cognitive Function

Reading also stimulates the brain, improving focus, memory, and critical thinking skills. That’s all good. It also helps slow and prevent our cognitive decline as we age, keeping the mind sharp and engaged. Also good.

Boosts Emotional Well-being

Apparently, books, especially fiction, can help build empathy by allowing us to experience different perspectives and emotions. Go figure. This leads to improved emotional intelligence and stronger interpersonal connections, fostering a greater sense of overall well-being.

Friend, what book are you reading right now?

I look forward to hearing from you in the COMMENTS. Be encouraged. What you’re doing matters. It makes a difference.

In the meantime…

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™