June 23, 2014

MAKE IT COUNT.

bricks
I had a mini panic attack of sorts last weekend. It could have been because I was hangry or dare I say hormonal (TMI?), but I got a little annoyed at the fact that summer is so short. I actually was a little crabby about it (does anyone say that anymore?) but I somehow realized that June is more than halfway over and that summer ends once September comes around. Which, if you ask me, is way too short. Of course, many of you are moms or are employed where you work all year round, but work with me for moment, won't ya?

Anyway, I got annoyed that summer was so short and I had so much to do and suddenly no time to do it. I was annoyed and was starting to take it out on my family--who likely had no idea why I was so crabby. I mean, it's summer after all!

But I was crabby and annoyed and grumpy, to say the least and I could feel it growing inside me. I didn't like feeling that way or treating my family that way, but I also was annoyed at how short summer was. I wanted to get so many things done. I had schools to visit, walls to paint, blog posts to write, and photoshoots to photograph. My list was growing and my time was dwindling.

A few evenings ago, I felt God calling me to stop throwing the pity party (sounds familiar, eh?) and to stop counting down the minutes left in summer. I felt Him calling me to live and to make the most of the time I've got (does this sound familiar, too?). And it was that little change in perspective that reminded me that I can either see summer as a short time or I can see it as an empty slate, a chance to fill it up with memories and experiences.

So I'm choosing to live summer (and life in general!) through these glasses. And I'm choosing to live and make today count.

How are you making the most of your days, your summer, and your vacation?

18 comments

  1. this is something so hard to do but thank you for your encouraging words! i am constantly counting down and thinking about the next thing, but need to learn to slow down & "be here now"

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    1. Me, too girl, me too. It's so easy for me to want to fast-forward everything in life (like how I so badly wanted summertime only a few weeks ago!) but this past week has been such an eye-opener into just how much I need to take a breather and just slow down and live in the present. I'm so glad I'm not alone in this! :)

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  2. YES!
    make today count.
    it is always so hard to recognize that...and i'm guilty of it myself. even being on vacation i sometimes find myself thinking "man i only have 3 days left or 1/2 a day until i leave" bla bla bla. how is that even beneficial? it isn't.
    thanks for the reminder kiki

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    1. YES! I was just talking with my sister last night about how it's already the end of June and how fast time has flown by. And that old saying 'time flies when you're having fun' really seems to be living up to its name. But like you said, we have to make today count and counting down has definitely not been a productive use of my time! :)

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  3. I know just what you mean. I feel like summer is already over and it's barely begun!

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    1. Exactly! I was just thinking about how fast June has flown by and it's been such a challenge for me to change my perspective and realize how much time I still have left. Crazy how time flies, right? :)

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  4. Girl I just posted today about feeling rest in crazy times... I feel ya!
    Patterned Love

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    1. I'm glad you can relate! It's been a real challenge for me lately to not just be in survival mode until the weekends or the next vacation. Rest is definitely necessary and truly beneficial, too! Hope you get some good resting in soon!

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  5. This post was such an encouragement! We are so easily prone to look for the NEXT thing instead of enjoying the present.

    Girl, I totally wish we could meet up for a heart to heart, a hike, and some photography sessions- maybe someday.....but ENJOY your summer, make it count, live it to the full, and be encouraged!

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    1. Thanks, Amy! I am constantly catching myself in the "waiting with impatience" stage of life and it's been a continual challenge for me to just sit and enjoy the moment, whether it's in my faith, or quite literally this summer.

      And I so wish we could get together, too! I feel like we have so much in common and I would looooove to meet you someday. A hike, heart-to-heart, and photography sessions sounds perfect to me!

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  6. GIRL. I can totally relate!! Summer feels so short and it sometimes doesn't seem fair. But what you said about using the empty slate to fill up with memories sounds like a perfect perspective and it changed my perspective. I now feel content with my hopes and to-do list this summer. Even though it feels like there's not enough time. Thanks for the encouragement! xo, gina

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    1. YES! That's exactly how I feel! Summer definitely feels short and I was actually getting a little annoyed that it wasn't any longer. Let's just say I caught myself getting annoyed again last night when I realized that July starts up this week and that June is already "over." It took a minute to realize that I still have so much time to fill up and that life is meant to be lived, not counted down. :)

      Hope you're enjoying your summer! I've loved seeing the bits and pieces of your life on instagram, too!

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  7. Yes, I hear you!! (I cannot believe June is almost over - I KNOW.) But- I'm so glad you are filling each moment and the rest of the summer days with fun memories!

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    1. I was just thinking that last night! I was having serious summertime blues last night until I went through this post again and remembered that I have to fill up the moments, not just count them down. :)

      Hope you're having a wonderful summer!

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  8. I've been feeling this way for a few weeks now - glad to know I'm not alone! I am trying to stay really focused and be present in every moment so a growing to-do list is frustrating. BUT, how wonderful is it to know we serve a God who has some perfect advice, he wants us to rejoice in every day. Thanks for the reminder! "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).

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    1. You are most definitely NOT alone! To be honest, I was just having the summer blues last night because I realized that June is practically over (let's just say God's still teaching me the importance of enjoying the moment!). :) And thank you for including that verse from Psalm! That was exactly what I needed to read!

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  9. Grumpy days. It's hot and hormones can always put a damper on my mood. But honestly, God is so good and there was a brief part of my day last week that got me down, but then lord comforts instantly and I love Him for that!

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    1. Yes, yes, yes! God's comfort, peace, and little teaching moments are definitely exactly what I need. Thank goodness His grace covers up all of my hormones. :)

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© IN ITS TIMEMaira Gall