Poofing Dandelions

A really good writer friend of mine recently posed a question on her organizations Facebook page for Women in Leadership: “Christ was never hurried. Even in the face of the death of a friend (Lazarus in John 11) he did not hurry. What would have to change in the lives of women today for them not to be hurried?” -Karen Zeigler I had to really think about that, because I am constantly hurrying from point A to point B at any given moment. I no longer have young children to pull me from place to place and since I am now single, I don’t have the obligations of home life that I once had, but still I am constantly juggling a schedule as an employee and also as a working photographer. My weekends are often taken up with events and photo shoots. As I was driving home, an old Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strip popped in my mind. Calvin is laying in a field of dandelions with Hobbes and he asks Hobbes.. “Have you ever poofed a dandelion? You haven’t lived until you poof a dandelion.” I’ve not thought about little exchange in years, but it suddenly made total sense. We need to take the time to slow down and poof dandelions. Even the bible has a say in this. In Luke 10:38-42 we see Martha was busy preparing for Jesus and his disciples visit and her sister Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus not helping her but listening to what he had to say and Martha got upset and asked Jesus to basically make Mary get up and help. Jesus responded by telling Martha that Mary was doing what was required of her at that time. He was giving the woman permission to not be busy, but to take a few minutes to do what was important to them and to renew their minds and spirit. I’m not sure what that looks like for most people, but for me it’s getting away and renewing my inner creative self, even if it’s simply taking a walk in the park, the beach or even going away to the woods for the weekend. After an adventure I am renewed and refreshed and ready to get back to my hectic schedule. This is not always easy, I’m a spontaneous person and I like to pick up and go, but this past year I have had to pencil in this time in my schedule, I also stick to it, if something comes up I decline with an “I’m sorry I’m already scheduled somewhere else”. I must do this to keep up my energy and creativity. Give yourself permission to take time for yourself, even if it’s only for a half hour, sit on your porch in the early morning before the house wakes up and sip a good cup of coffee, take a walk in the park or get away for a weekend either alone or with friends. Slow down and look for a dandelion to poof.