Pace Yourself

Well... here I sit... reflecting on the title of this message and watching the "pace" of those around me. Cars driving by, people on bikes, people pausing to read signs, people eating and walking, reading and walking, talking and walking... the list goes on!! Everyone however, at a different speed! Some taking their time, some in a hurry...and this is where I have been struggling lately.... trying to hurry, trying to squeeze in meetings, make time for friends, picking up extra shifts at work, video chatting with my family.... Where is all my time going.... 

As I walked around the park the other morning, (or raced, rather) listening to music, and pouring my heart out to God... I could feel that I was pushing myself too hard. I was tryin' to "power house" my way around the trail. I slowed down and said, "Ok pace yourself Casandra" and God said, "This is exactly what your problem is..." Well duh, I thought... I know... I'm pushing too hard...I need to slow down... but then He said, "I'm not talking about exercise!" HA!!! Well of course He wasn't... He was referring to the fact that I don't pace myself everyday... I don't allow myself time to breathe, and I "power house" my way through each day.
I got to thinking about how ridiculous and yuck I feel when I don't pace myself in exercise and how it relates to my life. When I'm going through the trail or at the gym and I'm pushing too hard I need to hydrate more often, I'm not as focused, I wear out faster, and ridiculous part is that I hate feeling like I have to breathe with my mouth open to get the air I need....

Pausing once again in my heart as I walked, I thanked God for using this analogy and showing me... this is what I have been doing for weeks. I get worried about money so I pick up extra hours, I get frustrated with my schedule because I can't say no then complain I'm at work... ALL THE TIME!!! (I'm not getting "hydrated"/spending enough with the Lord, cause I'm at work) I get in a hurry to get things done at the end of my shift and forget things, either at work or home because I'm constantly trying to remember if I got it all done. (VERY not focused) I run all day going to meetings and trying to "fit it all in" that by the time my weekend comes and I have time to do what I want, I'm worn out!! This all then leads to me with my mouth open (figuratively)... once again... trying to catch my breath!! (By the way... When you're outside in nature with your mouth open, bugs can get in... but in life, when you've got your mouth open... "bugs" can get out.... when you're worn down, not focused and lacking hydration, you tend to say things you shouldn't!!)

So....having said all of that, I made the decision to PACE myself!! I'm asking God of course to help me and praying that He meets my needs. I know I can't get through life on my own, I've tried. And clearly I can't get through it by "power housing" my way through the day then begging him to help me with the last leg.... I feel like in making a conscious effort to pay closer attention, and slow down a bit I will have a renewed joy, a new sense of self, and be a better witness for Christ.

Take it from me folks... a bug in the mouth is gross.... I write these blogs for a reason!!!! HAHAHA!!! :)