“Busyness makes us stop caring about the things we care about. And not only that, busyness also robs us of knowing God the way we might.” -Mark Buchanan
I used to equate busyness with success. That if I didn’t have a full schedule and daunting to-do list, I must be failing.
Well, let me share something really personal with you. This thought process led to some severe, crippling anxiety. There were times when the demands I placed on myself made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. The word “no” just wasn’t in my vocabulary. I wanted to please myself by pleasing everyone else.
I recently watched a sermon from the author of The Best Yes, Lisa TerKeurst, and she spoke such an important truth into my life, something I’ve carried with me since. She said, “Every time you say ‘no’ to something, you are saying ‘yes’ to something else.”
So, I started saying “no” to things so I could say “yes” to what matters.
I said no to social media binges so I could say yes to not comparing myself to everyone else.
I said no to working until midnight every night to I could say yes to couch snuggles with Matt and the pups.
I said no to networking events so I could say yes to a night of live music with good friends.
I said no to dinners out so we could say yes to better financial health for our family.
I said no to blogging daily so I could say yes to reading my bible more.
I had this list of what perfect looked like, a check-list for perfection. The things on this list, in hindsight, were doing more harm than good. And I’ve learned that unless what I’m doing serves others before myself or adds more than it takes away, it isn’t worth it. I could be saying “yes” to something that truly matters, things like scripture and quality time and memories.
This weekend I said “yes” to celebrating my new niece with family. Life is too short to not be celebrated!
“Busy is the enemy of peace. Busy takes us away from our purpose. Busy is not truly productive to the big picture. Busy means life’s joys and surprises can’t find a way into our lives because we’re moving too fast to experience them.” –Lara Casey, Make it Happen
I don’t know about you, but the thought of being too busy that I miss the surprises, the JOY that God has laid in my path sounds so incredible sad. And it isn’t the way I want to live.
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What are some things you’ve said no to recently so you could say yes to what really matters?
Oh, I loved reading this so much! I struggle with this too and am learning (slowly) that what is success for me, may not be what it is for everyone else!!
I have started looking at what matters in terms of committees and only serving in areas that will have an impact on my family. It’s a balance of serving but not to a point of serving just to serve. I know this year it will mean stepping down from a few things and that’s ok.
Love this! Especially about saying NO to so much social media so I can say YES to not comparing myself. The comparison monster is my personal demon, but I’m working on saying no to him more and more!! Whenever I find myself scrolling too much, I think, “There’s got to be something more productive/healing/life-giving I can be doing right now!”
I love reading this! It makes me realize how much more that I really need to say no to things!
I’m so excited for you! It’s so hard to find balance and life is too short to spend all of our time working! Thanks for the amazing reminder! 🙂