Reader
Hey
Sometimes, in my journaling, I write directly to the Adam I used to be. (Super helpful tip for processing, healing and moving forward)
This is one of those kind of entries, adapted only enough for you to read without getting confused.
So on this beautiful Sunday, enjoy!
#blog #story #restoration #fun
I used to dread Sundays.
It’s May 28, 2019.
I turned 40 a week ago today.
For a few months I’ve had several instances of being nudged and even strongly encouraged to “get a hobby” or “do something fun for yourself”.
These have come from close people in my life. They’ve come from reflecting on how I’ve felt after having some fun like being with friends at a concert I was surprised with. These divine proddings have even come in the form of little signs along the way.
We’ve been living in Florida for nearly two years now.
It’s been a strong desire of mine to get on the water–I mean, I didn’t come here for the ice.
I’ve had a couple experiences in the last month with friends that have awakened that desire for me. Meaning, it was already there but it was dormant. Work, family obligations and life help make that dormancy happen.
Busy-ness can easily bury the beauty of life
Whether it be fishing, knee boarding, jumping in water surrounding an island a few miles off shore or even swimming with an alligator (seriously)… I’ve been beside myself with joy and gratitude for getting to live and journal about these experiences.
My soul is breathing again.
My skin is tight from a bit too much direct sun.
My heart is full (that’s mostly from beach time with our family).
My ability to have fun is returning.
How is your ability to have fun doing?
If you’re like I was, up until recently, you’ve allowed the grown-up inside you to rule with a heavy fist for a little too long now.
You need a break.
You need a hobby.
You need FUN!
This video is of Gavin and I crashing into an alligator-infested river! (The locals, our friends, told us “they don’t bother people” -oh yeah?! Okay!!)
Growing up, all Sundays meant to me was the last few hours of freedom painfully and tauntingly melting off the clock toward the start of yet another week going through the motions..
Sundays seemed so gloomy to me, even when the sun appeared a few times a year around metro Detroit.
Johnny Cash performed a song written by Kris Kristofferson called Sunday Morning Coming Down.
It’s not exactly a Sunday school song for little ones.
It is, however, poignant and full of cautionary wisdom from wrecking one’s life. I found it when I was separated from my family actively shooting up with needles.
Even at that point, I felt bad for the guy in the song. At that time, it somehow gave me hope.
🎶 “There’s something lonely in a Sunday.” 🎶
Maybe it’s because we’re busy wrestling thoughts of what it is we must do all week, all over again, just like last week, and a part of us hates it.
Maybe not.
Maybe it’s the vibration Sunday has historically had in our culture as the one day of rest, so to speak, though it’s not really that way any longer.
For me, it was the literal pit in my stomach, whether leading into the school week (which I actually kind of enjoyed as a kid), or maybe it was the dread of my grown up job, or maybe it had nothing at all to do with the week itself.
Maybe it was more about losing 2 days of freedom and not so much about having to face something I didn’t choose for myself on purpose… which is what my weeks consisted of.
Whether you love your weeks or you hate them, it doesn’t matter in regards to my encouragement for you today.
What sets your soul ablaze… makes you giddy?
Like me looking out at this magnificent emerald green, warm, clear water … what takes you back and reawakens the wondrous child inside you that could lay in the grass and stare at the sky for an afternoon?
Do that.
Make it a point to do something “mature adults” would say is pointless.
I think “mature adult” is a euphemism for someone who’s let life separate them from their own lifeblood.
In the last two weeks
- I’ve seen my favorite band (of 20 years) live in concert
- I’ve had a surprise party for my 40th
- I’ve received my first pair of Ray-Bans (I know, fancy right!)
- I’ve gotten a lot more tan, I docked off shore with two buddies, jumped out a boat and swam up to shore with my rum in hand like I was freaking CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow
- and I even jumped out of a plane from 14,000 feet… with my MOM right behind me!
We all need more fun, at least those of us who are trying to accomplish something that matters, like having an awesome family life, for instance.
Whether it’s a lonely Sunday afternoon or a dreaded work week or simply too much on our plate at times, we need to nurture and spoil our souls on purpose.
I’ve found my “water”.
Water that makes me 10 years old again without a care and full of smiles.
Find your water.
I hope this finds its way to blessing you 😉
Inspired a bit by my devotionals today and yesterday.
I’m going to get back to this beautiful Sunday now.
Will you join me?!
Later 🤙🏽
Adam
