Finally!

For the first time in almost two weeks my post-longing fingers are hitting the keyboard in an attempt to write something meaningful, anything meaningful.

Although I have been blogging informally for several years, two years ago I made my writing “official” by publishing this blog under my own domain name.

At the time I made a commitment to myself and to you to consistently write and publish twice per week.

Except for a few rare occasions I have reasonably hit the mark.

Until now.

I love hockey, especially when it comes to following my hometown team – the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When I attend any hockey game I like to arrive early to watch the warm up drills.

Most specifically, I love watching the offensive players shoot the pucks at the goalie simultaneously in rapid fire succession.

They are like bees on ice flying around the net waiting to zing one at the goalie.

The dude is like an octopus on skates simply to survive the dark, circular missiles being launched at him by his teammates.

Right now, I feel like the goalie.

Many pucks are flying around my net and I am not sure if I am even equipped with a face mask, helmet, leg pads, a stick, or catching glove to withstand the assault.

I am quietly praying I don’t get hit with an imaginary puck!

The past few weeks have simply been frenetic.

When the button labeled NEW JOB (and the season of unemployment signaled a soon to be end) was pushed, it set in motion a series of dominoes which has kept me in the passing lane traveling well over the speed limit.

The word transition sums it up nicely.

Here’s what has been cooking in my kitchen recently:

• Start date – April 13, 2015
• Start the process of pointing the needle in the direction of the Harrisburg / Lancaster Region for our relocation interests.
• Do what needs to be done to get a For Sale sign in our front yard.
• Identify interim housing for me once I start the job and until we move. This prayer has been answered.
• We need another place to live –check on the housing options and begin looking.
• Begin throwing out feelers and support Jackie in the quest for her next employment situation.
• Drive limo for my current part time job as the need arises, often with short notice.
• Attend to the regular stuff of life.

I will not go as far as to say it has been exhausting, but it has been very much like those pucks flying at me (and us) from every direction.

It is a good thing as it beats unemployment. However, the days seem to mesh into one big blur and each succeeding week flies by quickly.

I am reasonably sure I am not alone in dealing with life in the fast line, as you too have your set of traffic zooming by you like a Nascar event!

Are you ready to hit the pause button and make it all stop, even momentarily?

Are you longing for a chance to breathe even for a few moments?

Earlier this week I had the opportunity on three occasions to take an hour-plus hike at the local nature preserve.

The first walk occurred during an early spring snow and was followed by two other walks through the woods on successive days.

It was like someone lifted an elephant off my chest.

It was a chance to “take five” and relax.

On the second of the three walks, no one was around.

The woods were mystical.

Birds were chirping their early spring melodies.

Squirrels were dashing up trees.

A few deer made their way from one spot to another.

The geese were honking.

The lake was still a frozen sheet of white, with periodic dimples of thawing.

I stopped for a moment on a footbridge to listen to the stream flow beneath me – heavenly!

As I stood on the bridge I could not help but think about a verse in Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green (OK, soon to be green in this case!) pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV)

Take a moment to check out the video and to allow your soul to be refreshed – give yourself 30 seconds of visual and audio RESTORATION!

After departing the bridge, I came around the bend and could hardly believe what I saw.

Hundreds of geese nestled together, some in the water and some resting on the thin ice.

I decided to get off the path and to explore. I made my way down the hill toward the geese party going on.

I got within a hundred yards and the honking skewed to a higher decibel level.

I walked a little closer and the intensity of the honking picked up.

Suddenly, as if a master air traffic controller signaled “take-off”, hundreds of geese flapped their wings and ascended the frozen airport runway and went skyward.

It was a rush of fowled motion.

I was overwhelmed with emotion and the surprise of being able to witness the winged flight.

Although I wish I had my camera out to record the moment, I simply soaked every moment of it in!

Several “V” formations of my flying friends rose in the sky and circled the thawing tundra.

It was awesome!

I stood in fixed position for over fifteen minutes simply watching and listening to them.

The heart of God spoke to my inner man and simply stated – “this is my gift to you today.”

Personally, it was the medicine my soul needed!

• A time to think.
• A time to walk.
• A time to enjoy the outdoors which I truly love.
• A time for quiet and reflection.
• A time to simply enjoy.
• A time to receive a personal gift!

In short, it was heaven in a moment for me!

Is life running at break-neck speed for you?

Is it time for you to unplug?

If so, I would highly encourage you to do so.

Doing so lends perspective.

It will help you chill out.

It’s OK to hit the “pause” button every now and then as it will not kill you to do so.

In fact, it will have the opposite effect – it will allow “life” to invade you!

Do what you want.

However, I encourage you to dial it down a little and do something for yourself, whatever makes your boat sail while you enjoy the breeze!

Whatever gets you to the place of being able to say “He refreshes my soul” is OK by me!

Being able to sit here with you and type had the same effect on me – it helped me unplug from a very hectic day.

Thanks for allowing me the time to do so!

BTW – it’s nice to be back!

What is your favorite thing to do to unplug from the craziness of life?

 Photos and Video Courtesy of Bruce R. Cross