Do you have a to do list?

I do, and it seems to be endless!  I wish I had endless energy and time!

God makes the days longer.”

Dr. Monique Ruberu, MD

Not long ago I was listening to Dr. Ruberu give a talk to our adoption group (The Rose Garden) and I asked her, “how do you have time to do all the things you do!?”.  She said quite plainly,  “God makes the days longer”.

Dr. Ruberu is a mother of 3 young children, a working Physician and an active Pro-life activist who just recently finished writing a book.  Somehow she found the time to come talk to our adoption group about the importance of nourishing our marriages in the midst of infertility.  Her talk was filled with stories of how she nourishes her faith and stays connected to Our Lord.  To say the least, I was awed and inspired.

I often find myself busy to a fault.  Dr. Ruberu reminded me that we are to give everything to God – including our time.  What we give to God, he gives back to us in complete and total abundance!  He really does make the day long enough to serve Him, our families and others.

Here are five ways you can reconnect with God and recharge your spirit!  

Attend Daily Mass

Daily Masses tend to be only about 30 minutes in length if you get up for the early ones! If your schedule is jam packed, this may be the way to go.  Get up early and go to Mass. Hear God’s word, praise Him, talk to Him and listen.  Receive Him.

Go for a Nature Walk

God created everything for you, but you in turn were created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to Him.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, #358)

God created everything for us to enjoy!  I love going for a hike and enjoying the views of nature.  As a city girl, there is an extreme amount of peace that fills me when I gaze upon an open field. Turning off the cell phone and being away from a screen and out in the fresh air can provide an opportunity to enjoy God’s creation and feel at peace. Depending on your mood you could always talk to Jesus as if He is walking with you, say a Rosary or some formal prayers or simply, count your blessings.

Sip and Color!

Here is a free printable coloring page for you!

 Love is kind, love is patient coloring page

If you wake up early you can go to Mass or you can enjoy a cup of coffee and relax with colored pencils and an inspirational coloring page!  You may only have 10 minutes a day or week to do this, but eventually it will get done and you will have a picture to frame or glue into your prayer journal!  Adult coloring is popular for a reason – it’s meditative and relaxing.  There are many Devotional Coloring Books available on Amazon!  Coloring a Scripture passage or prayer is a great way to contemplate God’s love for us and really can recharge your soul! It’s also fun to do with a glass of wine!

Pray a Rosary

Meditation is an exercise that relieves stress and increases overall physical health. Our Lady is a faithful friend who is happy to go to Jesus and pray for our intentions.  And lately, “fidget spinners” are known as stress relieving toys.  Why not go to the original “fidget spinner” and hold a One Decade Rosary Ring!

Listen to Praise Music

Crank up radio stations like K-Love or “I Can Only Imagine” on Pandora.  The melody and the lyrics are uplifting and encouraging. Whether you are driving, cleaning, working or simply just sitting; music has a way to raise your spirits. As we listen to the words being sung we are reminded of God’s love for us and it sparks joy in the heart and hope in our life.  Turn it on and turn it up!

The post 5 Ways to Connect With God and Recharge Your Spirit Today appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

“Mommy’s allergic to vacation – there are no lists.”

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I cracked up.  You know how when jokes are based on truth, they really are funny?  Once in awhile, my husband tells a joke that’s not super corny and cracks me up

But here I am, back from vacation and I have already written one list and thought about three others I need to make.

My life is driven by lists.  They help me focus.  They make me feel productive. They remind me of my responsiblilties.

And now we even have a picture schedule for my son.  A list that my son can read so he can point out what we didn’t do or need to do – which he does -often.

I love that he keeps me on task.  But ya know what, I need down time.

“Back in the day”, some moms would watch soap operas.  I have no desire to watch a soap opera.  BUT, maybe the down time is something that must be scheduled . . .since Mommy never really “punches out of work”.

It’s okay for Mommy to color because:

1. It’s Meditative

Taking care of our health is so important! As mothers, we need to do so much preventative care, because we do so much for our families! Meditation has been shown to lower stress and blood pressure and boost your immune system! Meditation can also help manage chronic pain and even help with infertility and breast feeding.  And for those mommas who are taking a class or pursuing a degree; studies have shown that students who meditate earn higher grades than students who do not meditate. When we meditate, either by saying the Rosary; repeating a short mantra, like saying the name of Jesus; or by coloring – we clear our minds of all the noise.  We stop thinking about our lists and everything that’s on them – and what we need to add!  That clearing of the mind is so beneficial to our whole self! It’s a healthy exercise!

2. It shows children that relaxing does not need to be in front of a screen

So many times I catch myself taking a “time-out” in front of my computer and looking at my phone.  It’s more times than I’d like to admit.  My son sees everything and is learning by my example.  Being aware of that, I would really like him to see that down time does not have to be equivalent to screen time.

3. It can be done with your children.

Whether you start out with your child, or your child decides he or she wants to join you, coloring can provide an opportunity to talk to each other, compliment him or her and spend some quality time together. In my case, it’s also practice in exercising patience, because inevitably a little one draws over my “masterpiece”.

4. It can be done WITHOUT your children.

Coloring alone can be so relaxing!  I love that I can do it with a cup of coffee – or a glass of wine.  Sometimes I include it in my prayer journaling (8 Ways to Pray Using a Journal).  Other times I find it is a great way to spend time with friends and combine faith and fellowship (How to Host a ‘Sip and Script’ Party: Prayer Journaling with Friends).  And still other times, I just want to enjoy it – just because it is fun.

5. There is a feeling of being productive when you are finished.

In fact, you may even want to hang it up somewhere and add to your home or office decor! The new coloring book, Color Happy features removable 8 x 10 and 5 x 7 designs, printed on thick paper and perfect for framing.  Even if you choose not to frame it, it’s so great looking at something that you made, admiring it’s beauty and being a little proud of your work!

Purchase Color Happy here: Color Happy: An Adult Coloring Book of Removable Wall Art Prints (Inspirational Coloring, Journaling and Creative Lettering)

6. It’s cheap!

Seriously, the biggest expense are your pencils – but they will make you so giddy, it’s totally worth it!  Prismacolor Colored Pencils are AMAZING!  I sat down with my sister-in-law (who is an artist) on vacation to color.  I was so excited she brought coloring stuff with her too.  I pulled out my Crayola, and she had the Prismacolor Pencils. She has me sold on them – easily! They feel like butter going on the paper, and I felt like I had to sharpen my Crayola’s so often – I think I saw her sharpen a pencil once. There are lots of trends to go out and paint while you sip wine, but coloring is definitely more affordable!

*You can buy Prismacolor Colored Pencils on Amazon – click here to purchase them: 48 pack or 72 Pack

7. It Makes Mommy Feel Young!

There is such a feeling of nostalgia when you get a chance to color! I don’t know about you, but it just makes me happy!  Something simple that brings such joy is so awesome.  I love when I see my son enjoying a simple toy or game – it’s nice to get back to that place where something simple can bring about happiness.

Do you color?  Do you find it an opportunity to pray or relax?  What reasons would you add to the list?

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