Dear TSJ Peeps,
Do you ever hear yourself saying, “I just need some space?” Have you ever felt crowded? I notice that I feel that way even if not in an actual crowd. I often feel crowded in my mind.
When we feel crowded we do not feel free.
Solomon and I have been thinking about this topic off and on lately but it has come up today because locally our schools are on a midwinter vacation.
As I have written before the challenge with time off is we are faced with new choices of how to fill our time. Hours (even days) open up for activities that are either pleasurable (like trips to the zoo or the beach) or necessary-like doctor appointments and unfinished projects. We become blessed by and often burdened by a plethora of good choices.
Quickly, oh so quickly, the hours fill up like sand fills in a hole on the shore line.
We become so habituated to being constantly “ON” that our time, our minds and our lives become crowded. And we all know crowds inhibit our movements.
Sometimes they say, “Two is company and three is a crowd.” It changes the atmosphere and calls for adjustments and new conversation.
But I am not really talking about a group of three being a crowd. And I am not talking about someone always feeling left out.
I am talking about something very simple. Crowded schedules lead to crowded brains which lead to weary spirits. At such times we need space.
We need space to breathe in new air.
Yes, we need space between words in order to make sense. We need space between notes to hear the melody. We need space to move our muscles. We need space between our thoughts to govern our actions. We need space to find rest.
I have discovered that when we are feeling crowded even a good crowd is still a crowd. Even a good crowd uses up space. It uses up some of the oxygen in the room.
Solomon chimed in on this today because he thought it might be a good time for him to catch some “breathing space” in the pastures. He wants to join his friends and check on a few things.
Solomon also says that we all need space. He observed the path behind TSJ headquarters had several runners going in both directions. But suddenly a man sat down on The Bench (per late Mr. Tom) and stared off into space. The man took a minute to rest. But Solomon reported his disappointment that the man “only sat there for one minute.”
So he feels he would be wise to take some time this afternoon to just be a sheep. He wanted me to tell you he is fine but needs some breathing time of his own. He gently reminded me he likes it here at TSJ headquarters and assures me he only needs a little time away.
So, we all know what it means to be stifled in a crowded room. We also know what it is like to feel crowded with pressures and demands. And we forget that we need space to breathe and space to renew.
Here is your reminder for today. Find a little space in your day and play in the pastures.
Love,
Margie and Solomon
