RE-CHARGING our PERSONAL BATTERIES!!!

No,  I'm not talking about batteries (such as the ones in our car,  or the ones in our homes which operate certain things --such as our cellphones)....   I am talking about our LIVES.  How do you (and I) take time out from our busy lives to 're-charge our batteries'??????

Since we are starting a brand new year,  I thought it would be a good time to think about our lives (YES---even those of us who are retired can be very busy)  and find ways to 'unplug' from some of the craziness at times...

My sons (in their 40's) stay SO busy and the stress can be great... I used to be the same way when I was raising kids alone,  working fulltime,  working on my Master's Degree, etc. etc. etc.  Life wasn't always easy --but I just had to keep on keeping on!  But --even back then,  it was important to 'unplug' at times..

NOTE:  All illustrations today come from the internet,  and the article is by Danielle Zeigler, and the link is HERE.   Danielle gave 27 ways to re-charge --but I won't talk about all of them.  IF you want more info,  be sure to click on the link.

One of the ones that really jumps out at me these days is to "UNPLUG OUR DEVICES".  We humans can't seem to do much of anything these days without our fancy devices... We stay totally plugged in  24/7...  Do you DARE turn off those devices for an hour or so each day --or LONGER ??????

While unplugging,   do something that makes you happy... Maybe you love to COOK --and can  make a fantastically delicious dinner.  OR--maybe you want to READ that book on your night-stand --which you have never done...  OR---why don't you LIGHT SOME CANDLES and take a leisurely Bubble-BATH????  There is so much you can do simply AFTER turning off those devices!

Another way to re-charge is to MAKE time just for yourself....It's never easy when we feel as if the entire world is counting on us for everything...  We love feeling needed ---and many times,  we give and give and give of ourselves until the well is dry!

One way I re-charge (both George and me) is to get out most every day (no matter what else is going on ) and take a walk.  Just GETTING OUT IN NATURE is SO refreshing ---and makes us feel good all over.  Even if you can't walk,  just get outside some --and smell that air!!!!

Another thing you can do is to VOLUNTEER somewhere --especially if you are lonely, or feeling sorry for yourself.  I worked with lots of volunteers when I worked in the church for many years.  We couldn't have existed without those wonderful volunteers.

Another way to 're-charge' is to PLAN something upcoming.  It may be a trip to see family far away,  or maybe a special vacation to an area where you haven't been.  Doing some planning will make you feel MUCH better.

One of my favorite things to do is to sit in my recliner,  drinking a cup of hot tea or coffee,  enjoying a fire in the fireplace on a cold, winter day,  and watching my little birdies come and have a feast at the Bird Kitchen....

Another option would be to TRY SOMETHING NEW.   Maybe there is something you have never done --but want to try it... For instance,  take a paining class if you are interested... Step out of that comfortable box and do something new and different.

Keep that LIGHT shining within you all of the time... It's good for you and good for those around you.  Can you recognize it when your light gets DIM?  I hope so --since many people just ignore their 'lights' ---and keep on pushing-pushing-pushing....

One way to get that light shining again is to PLANT A GARDEN... We do that -and there's so much joy in seeing plants grow that YOU have planted!

Want to really make your light 'shine'??????  Then CLEAN OUT A CLOSET or get rid of the CLUTTER around you.... That will help SO MUCH.

Another way to 'unplug' and re-charge is to take a trip... And make it a RELAXING trip --where you aren't going from place to place and staying extremely busy.  BUT--make it a trip like we take twice a year.  One of our 'relaxing' trips is to the BEACH---where we can truly relax and be as lazy as we want to.  Another relaxing trip is our annual trip to Arkansas --where we enjoy life on the top of Mt. Nebo...

LISTEN to MUSIC...  That always help me to feel better when I am stressed or feel overwhelmed...  OR--if you are married or have a special person in your life,  enjoy a DATE NIGHT.  

You have heard of  "Unplug the Christmas Machine"..... WELL--how about unplugging yourself ---and re-charging your batteries!   I am writing this for ME as much as I am writing it for YOU.... Just DO IT.    AND--check our Danielle's list to see more... You might even add some to this list for others to read. 

Check out my other blog,  Betsy's Photo Blog,  today.  Click HERE.

Hugs,