Saturday, January 8, 2011

Bon Voyage... (inspired by the Puppies)

I've been needing a vacation for a while. Just a minute of serenity. No phones..no clients..no needs other than to wake up, figure out what i want to do and where i want to go without schedules, deadlines, paperwork, HIPAA, etc.  But i keep making all these excuses as to how it wouldnt be the right time or the financial sacrifice involved in taking a few days off and going somewhere sunny.

Then yesterday, my neighbor's dog went into labor and he asked me for a substantial amount of money because he thought the puppies were stuck. First of all, I had no idea delivering puppies cost so darn much, but the distress of my neighbor and Naomi, the very cute miniature schnauzer persuaded me to consider trying to help. It actually didnt take long, or much convincing myself because I didnt want the dog to die or my neighbor to be sad. Then somewhere on the way, I remembered my vacation. I remembered how hard I am on myself to treat myself to the things that help me find rest, balance, or peace of mind and yet how quick I am to push all of those same reservations aside for my friends, or even for this neighbor who is only a recent acquaintance.  And I asked myself a very important question..."when will you be worth the sacrifice you so readily give to others?"

Love of self is a prerequisite to both giving and receiving love from others. And no one will truly be able to love me until I show them how. So, that being said, I let my neighbor handle his own situation (although I was still prepared to help) and luckily there are 4 very cute puppies three doors down from me (and it only set me back 1/4 of what we thought because she had them on her own at home) AND I have finally found the resolve to take the vacation I need...

Sometimes we make money an issue when its not a money thing...its a mindset thing. We invest in what and who we want to, the question is about the quality of the choices we make. Its never wrong to give or to love, I am learning, but it is wrong to do so to the point where you dont have what you need to stay balanced or to do so with the expectation that others will take care of you when you need them to. Sometimes they will...but always God will...so invest yourself in kingdom things and dont forget to put a little aside when breaks are needed. God wants a "broken" vessel..not a broke down one

..and so with that being said...BLUE WATER HERE I COME
...and WHY?..."Because I'm worth it.."