written December 7, 2020.
dear friend,
how have you been?
i am happy to say that i am making progress in living an unhurried life, and it isn’t because i am doing less, but because i am less exhausted, less worried, less reactive in general. I now feel like i have control over my time, rather than racing against it or mindlessly letting it slip away.
this season has been a journey for me, an ongoing process of recovering from my addiction to hurry, productivity, and competitive “drivenness.”
people who know me well can attest that i love the feeling of hustle — multitasking and getting things done in as little time as possible. i get anxious when im idle, but it also stresses me out when there’s so much to do all at once.
it’s the paradox of my existence.
but now, i am gradually learning to slow down my pace and calm my inner restlessness to always keep moving and keep doing so much so fast.
a healthy routine has helped a lot — morning devotions, daily reflections, intimate worship moments at home, taking my time to process my lists, talking to my cats and more. this season has given me the space to recalibrate my habits, learn new skills and keep my thoughts and feelings in check.
now, there is more peace than fear, more bliss than worry, more grace than unease.
i am also learning that living an unhurried life does not mean life should be uneventful or undemanding — because that kind can easily lead to sloth or laziness.
the kind of unhurry i am talking about is one that follows Jesus’ example: healthy rhythms of hard work and deep rest, positive realism, slowness to speak and mindful listening, uninterrupted time and uncluttered space for God and things that matter the most.
i still have a long way to go. i have to be patient and consistent (which is 10000x easier said than done) because soul-deep transformation takes time.
to you reading this,
i encourage you to use this time to be still. hopefully, a stillness that is thoughtful and intentional rather than mindless.
personal struggles will surface, conflicts will arise, and distractions will pull us back. but if we hold ourselves gently and learn that rest is essential, those pain points can actually become growth points that could lead us to the most amazing places.
before i forget,
this year is about to end….if anything, i pray that you let this season make you brave.
may the last month of the year 2020 be a good chance to bend, to mend and reflect on what’s truly worth pursuing and what deserves to be left behind.
do not fear the days and the adulthood duties ahead of you — because there is no ideal form to strive for anyway.
there’s only Life, and there are different ways of growing up strong.
love & light,
dez
