“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you will go.” Genesis 28:15
On a recent trip to Scotland, I was absolutely amazed by the beauty of the lush, green hills dotted with grazing sheep. The landscape was idyllic and peaceful. Gazing at the verdant terrain tempted me to summersault down a hill! (I didn’t!) As we drove past miles and miles of pastures bordered by ancient dry stone walls to enclose the ubiquitous cows and sheep, I had time to reflect and simply praise God for the beauty of His creation.
Whether we’re google-mapping our destination and trying not to veer off course or whether we’re noticing new scenery, vacations force our attention to the present moment. It’s all about leaving our everyday lives behind, seeking out new adventures, and for a short while, really living in the present moment. In a culture where we multitask and life constantly pulls us in various directions, getting away from it all is good for our souls. Being on vacation renews our sense of wonder and discovery as we experience unfamiliar sights. New vistas and activities capture our attention. The routine and mundane dissipate as we encounter different surroundings.
What captures your attention? Are you living in the moment? Is your attention so divided by multiple tasks that you are no longer centered in the present? Or is your mind dwelling in the past with regrets or feeling anxious for the future while your body is merely going through the motions as it operates in the present?
Being mindful takes practice. A vacation is a great place to start. Inserting this “present moment” focus into our everyday lives after a vacation creates mindfulness and a sense of balance while it calms our busy brains. Taking time to notice our surroundings, to spend time in meditation and prayer, and to fully engage in conversations creates a sense of awareness, joy, and even peace – despite our circumstances.
In Genesis 28:15, God promised Jacob that He would be with him as he traveled to his uncle’s estate. God is with us, too, wherever we go. His creation is all around us waiting to be noticed, if we just open our eyes to behold the surrounding beauty. It doesn’t have to involve a trip to Scotland or even a journey from home. Living in the present moment is all about being intentionally focused and mindful. The resulting peace and joy are well worth the effort.
Lord, I thank You for the beauty of Your creation. Thank you for vacations that give me time away to reflect and re-center myself. Help me to be focused and mindful so I can live fully in the present. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the ubiquitous sheep in the Lowlands, Dumfries, Scotland.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
On a recent trip to Scotland, I was absolutely amazed by the beauty of the lush, green hills dotted with grazing sheep. The landscape was idyllic and peaceful. Gazing at the verdant terrain tempted me to summersault down a hill! (I didn’t!) As we drove past miles and miles of pastures bordered by ancient dry stone walls to enclose the ubiquitous cows and sheep, I had time to reflect and simply praise God for the beauty of His creation.
Whether we’re google-mapping our destination and trying not to veer off course or whether we’re noticing new scenery, vacations force our attention to the present moment. It’s all about leaving our everyday lives behind, seeking out new adventures, and for a short while, really living in the present moment. In a culture where we multitask and life constantly pulls us in various directions, getting away from it all is good for our souls. Being on vacation renews our sense of wonder and discovery as we experience unfamiliar sights. New vistas and activities capture our attention. The routine and mundane dissipate as we encounter different surroundings.
What captures your attention? Are you living in the moment? Is your attention so divided by multiple tasks that you are no longer centered in the present? Or is your mind dwelling in the past with regrets or feeling anxious for the future while your body is merely going through the motions as it operates in the present?
Being mindful takes practice. A vacation is a great place to start. Inserting this “present moment” focus into our everyday lives after a vacation creates mindfulness and a sense of balance while it calms our busy brains. Taking time to notice our surroundings, to spend time in meditation and prayer, and to fully engage in conversations creates a sense of awareness, joy, and even peace – despite our circumstances.
In Genesis 28:15, God promised Jacob that He would be with him as he traveled to his uncle’s estate. God is with us, too, wherever we go. His creation is all around us waiting to be noticed, if we just open our eyes to behold the surrounding beauty. It doesn’t have to involve a trip to Scotland or even a journey from home. Living in the present moment is all about being intentionally focused and mindful. The resulting peace and joy are well worth the effort.
Lord, I thank You for the beauty of Your creation. Thank you for vacations that give me time away to reflect and re-center myself. Help me to be focused and mindful so I can live fully in the present. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the ubiquitous sheep in the Lowlands, Dumfries, Scotland.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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