From the Inside Out

Quiet time is a foreign concept to me. My life is filled with constant noise whether it’s music blasting loudly from my iPod, continuous conference calls at work, or TV programs providing background noise. The only time I turn it off is when I’m going to sleep. 

I’m not sure why I enjoy the constant hum of background noises. As a Gen X’er, I did grow up as part of the “MTV” generation — maybe that has something to do with it? Most likely, it’s simply because the noise keeps my mind busy and provides a decent distraction from the stressors in my life.

Tonight I was reminded that the Bible instructs us to “be still and know that He is God.” A song written by Steven Curtis Chapman expands the thought further:

Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still

In the midst of my busy, chaotic (and yes, noisy) life, sometimes I need that gentle reminder to turn everything off and “be still.” It’s during the quiet times God when speaks the loudest. Sitting at His feet, all of my problems fade away. My restless soul is calmed, and life becomes bearable, even joyous, again.

Isn’t it amazing what a little “time out” can do? It’s like going to the gas station and getting refueled — only without the exorbitant costs. All I have to do is stop “doing” and be still.

I’m having a bad case of the “Mondays” again. It’s days like these when the pains and stressors of life threaten to overwhelm. Luckily, I’ve had some success in warding them off, but I’m not sure how long I can keep them at bay. I’m currently subscribing to the “ignore it and it will go away” mentality. I know it’s not an effective tactic, but it gets me through the day. Maybe I’ll feel like dealing with the issues tomorrow.

Today I have many thoughts in my head vying for attention. I can’t put them all in order, but that’s okay. I’m beginning to accept the fact that tomorrow is in God’s hands. I don’t have to know all the answers. I just have to trust in the one who does.

Og Mandino’s advice is to live every day like it’s a special gift from God. While life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future. It’s sound advice.

In fact, he goes on to say that we should forget “tomorrow” and live each day as if it will be our last. If we spend our life planning for the future, we can lose out on present opportunities and joys.

“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ”tomorrow” on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday’s defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ”If I had my life to live over again. ”Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”

Og Mandino