Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Oh the times they are a-changing...

I can't tell you how blessed I am from your comments on my last post. What an encouraging group of blogger friends I have here! Anyways, one of you said that you should "Do it afraid," if you can't do it anyothe way.

I took her advice. I never do anything on the spur of the moment. I've told you I'm a die-hard planner.

But I am changing. On Sunday, my husband asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday after church. What I really wanted to do was run away. So that's what we did. We threw some clothes in our car, grabbed my birthday gift money and gift cards and headed south. Part of me wanted to turn around and be practical like we did on our first anniversary. We'd thrown our suitcases in the car then when we lived in VA but then turned around an hour later and bought a stereo for our car. Curt spent the day installing it while I watched.

Sometimes old habits are hard to break. But I did this past Sunday.

It was a great way to start my new year. We explored Sanibel Island together and strolled the shell-filled beach. I wish I could have spent more than hours there but it was enough to renew my spirit. When we came home last night, our power was out for a few hours so my hiatus away from phone messages and the computer continued.

But I have a ton to catch up on starting with looking again at your sweet messages and reading your blog posts--my favorite part of the day. Look for me--I'll be around!

But let me ask you this--do you live in the moment?

25 comments:

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Happy to hear you had a wonderful celebration day for your birthday!

How wonderful it is to be renewed!

Though I am a planner person like you, I do love those spontaneous moments, like surprise visits from family and when my husband and I jump in the car and head out for new discoveries and adventures!

Great Grandma Lin said...

when a window opens, it's time to jump through it. serendipity is fun. sounds like you had a lovely time. happy birthday.

Jody Hedlund said...

I'm definitely a planner too! But what a wonderful birthday gift to be able to have a moment of spontenaity! Hope it gives you renewed energy for your writing!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Good for you! And Happy belated Birthday. :)

Living in the moment is something my husband has always encouraged me to do, and I'm getting better at it. It still makes me uncomfortable, and I'll never cross over completely, but I'm learning the benefits.

Jan Cline said...

It's so easy to get bound by our busy lives and lose the freedom to fly away on a whim. I commend you for stepping outside your box of comfort and take a chance on time well spent. It's an inspiration for those of us who miss our chances.

Kathryn Magendie said...

how cool it that!? sounds like a wonderful day, Terri...*smiling*

I am an implusive person - I'm also responsible, but I can be impulsive!

I'm smiling at you!

and if I didn't say it HAPPY BIRTHDAY~!

Melissa Amateis said...

Terri - I missed your post of the other day, but have to tell you, I know exactly how you feel. Some days I wonder when I, too, will feel "grown up." I feel that I am a teenager with all her insecurities and fears living in a grown-up body. Other adults even intimidate me because they're, well, adults! and look so much more grown-up and "together" than I am.

That being said, I am so glad you were spontaneous on your birthday and just took off for the day. How cool is that?

I wish I could be spontaneous more often!

Angie Ledbetter said...

Yes! Caution, fear and old patterns to the wind. Love that you escaped the rut for a while!

Cheryl Wright said...

I'm trying - mild OCD, chronic planner, to-a-fault organizer, neat freak, insanely self-controlled - you name it - but I'm learning to be still and accommodate my imperfect and excessive self to the imperfect, disorganized, untidy business of living in the moment.

What I've discovered is that in the midst of all that might seem haywire, is joy and freedom and laughter and friendships, and love and creativity and adventure - again, you name it. So I'm trying.

LauraLee Shaw said...

Okay, before I comment, lemme go read your other post. BRB! ;)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Sounds like a wonderful birthday! I am a planner, too. I even try to plan spontaneity, which is really just one big contradiction. The fact that you were able to renew your spirit and have such a great time shows that sometimes doing things on the spur of the moment is the right thing to do.

LauraLee Shaw said...

Happy Birthday!!! Late, as usual. ;)

um, I live in the moment, but I'm not very adventurous, does that make sense? Unless you define adventure as not knowing what is on your calendar for the day until it gets there...I guess that would be adventure to planner-types.

It's taken me awhile, but I've grown to love the way God has wired me. I still ask for His help each day to become a more structured and disciplined person, but I've stopped putting myself down for not being that way naturally. He teaches me one little nugget each day that I can improve upon, and I'm content to take it step by step. this has not been the case for very long, though...something just in the past few years.

I'm so glad you feel renewed!!

Greg C said...

I am a planner too but would love to just come home and do what you did and get away. Way to go.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday. I understand your feelings, and am glad you were able to set them aside to have fun with your husband.

I've always been an obsessive planner, and doing anything spontaneous is difficult. Yet, I try to live one day at a time as we never know what the future will hold, and trying to prepare for the unknown is simply an additional emotional burden. Trusting God to take care of the days ahead is the best way to find peace in the present.

Anonymous said...

What better way to celebrate than coming to see the tropical beauty of Sanibel. I used to live in the mid-west until 3 years ago, but longed to be in paradise, so here I am. I love this place and I don't think God is far from here. :-) It's great that you live close enough to make day trips. Have another special day soon, it gives the soul a lift, that's for certain. :-)

Pat's Place said...

What a fun thing to do. We are both planners so we rarely do anything like that. Sounds like it adds spice to life!

Kasie West said...

That's awesome, Terri! And much deserved. I'm a total live in the moment type, with 4 kids, I kinda have to be.

Ginger said...

Way to go!!! I'm so glad that you did that. There's nothing like flying by the seat of your pants once in a while! It nourishes your soul! Happy Birthday...a little late.

Jessica Nelson said...

WooHoo! You go, girl! Sanibel is very pretty. I'm glad you had a nice time. :-)
I kind of live in the moment. That is, I have a mental idea of what I'd like to accomplish each day, but spontaneity is also fun.

Linda Hoye said...

What a great birthday! I have to confess that I don't live in the moment. I'm a planner....probably too much sometimes.

Vickie said...

All I can say is awesome Terri, absolutely awesome.

Blessings,
Vickie

Carmen said...

Glad your birthday was fun and spontaneous! Sometimes that can be fun and oddly refreshing! However, I'm like you, a real planner...my husband...not!! Once we (the family) went for a drive on a Sunday afternoon and ended up on Vancouver Island 6 hrs later to visit his parents. No jammies, no toothbrush, no make-up, no extra clothes. True story...

Yolanda said...

I'm learning to live in the moment, as I'm such a planner.

I'm so glad that you had a great day away...do it afraid.

Lovingly,
Yolanda

LisaShaw said...

Sweet Terri,

I pray that all has been well with you. I was praying for you last week. I hope your day/time has been special for you.

As for your question, I am naturally a organized person and I had to learn to be FLEXIBLE or what you call "live in the moment". I think I'm a combination now but I tend to feel more comfortable (there's that word) having a well laid out plan but then the LORD at times says, Lisa I've got other plans for you (smile). His way is always the best way isn't it?! Amen.

Love you Sister. I've missed you.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

I'm glad you enjoyed a refreshing Happy Birthday.

A few weeks ago, Mom and I decided to take the day off and have some fun. It's amazing how much energy you have for the day-to-day tasks when you stop to re-charge your batteries.

Blessings,
Susan :)