stop, drop and roll

every year while i was in elementary school, the local fire department came by the school to educate us what do to do when theres a fire. one of them was stop, drop and roll. you stop what you're doing, drop to the ground and roll on the floor to get rid of the flames. thankfully i have never been in a fire, nor plan on being in one...however this technique was needed for my life..i haven't been blogging since elevator follies, so that i could do just that.

life before my stop drop and roll...has been crazy. i was running around like a crazy person doing everything for everyone and not taking care of myself. this sounds so familiar to so many people...because it happens to everyone. it got to a point where i was not benefitting from my church service and all i wanted to do was give up...i didn't understand why God wasn't helping me out with anything and i started to build a resentment towards God....so i stopped...i got to sit with my father of confession..and if anyone is against talking to a priest or a spiritual guide...you're definitely missing out. it was one of those really tough conversations but i came out feeling like i just unloaded everything that was on my heart and a sense of peace that everything was going to be OKAY.
next i dropped--i went on vacation. i dropped everything at home, work, service and life to embark on an 8 day adventure to Florida with two of my friends. i really can't tell you how much i needed this. every day was the same, wake up, eat, beach/pool, eat, sleep...it was great. i didnt have to run anywhere to be anywhere and at night we got to walk along the beach. one thing i miss is getting in touch with God's creation of this earth...where ever you are a simple walk does it. whether you're in a city, beach, mountains, suburbs, anywhere...these walks are quiet times...
i came back rolling--i felt like i got the flames off of me and i was literally ready to roll, but coming back i dealt with going back to the old ways again before i went on vacation. this time for me was different. i am saying NO to things that i know i cannot humanly possibly do. saying NO is very hard for me because i always like to help out, but i found out that it's okay to say NO if it's really going to make me feel miserable. also im trying to keep up with what makes me happy. going out in small groups, long walks and of course photography. i cannot lose myself in the busyness again. i need to stay connected to the things that make me happy. most importantly--taking care of myself.

so the fire department was right in one thing...the stop, drop and roll technique really does work...it works when there's a fire in your life.