Thursday, March 18, 2010

Do You Savor?

I had this question posed to me recently and my first initial reaction was, "Of course!". However, upon further reflection I found that I actually was not savoring. In fact, I'm not sure I had even taken the time to understand the word fully ("taken the time" being operative words here). I think I was enjoying at best. To me, enjoying is noticing the moment and thinking "this is nice", but that's about it. There isn't a lot more to the thought process or experience than that. Savoring, I am discovering is an entirely different thing. It includes being present and taking the time to truly feel, experience, appreciate, and take in all the aspects of the moment. Savoring necessitates your presence. If you aren't fully present in the moment, you aren't savoring it.

When I really started thinking about this and trying it out, I found that instead of savoring the moment, I was always thinking about what came next. I might be taking a nice long bubble bath, but during the bath I was thinking about what I had to do next (laundry, dishes, phone calls, cleaning, etc.). I decided to make a concerted effort to change this and it has been such a beautiful change. I mean God gave us this lovely thing called life, and yes there are difficult aspects to it, but there are also so many wonderful aspects that we have to not only enjoy, but savor. Now, when I have a moment to myself to have a bath or eat a chocolate, or sip a nice cup of hot tea, I really try to be present in the moment. I even find myself setting the stage for the moment by lighting a candle and picking my favorite bubble bath, or choosing my favorite tea cup to enhance my favorite flavor of tea (Earl Grey). I have come to love these experiences so much.

I challenge you to ask yourself the question, "Do I savor?" and then answer it honestly. Some of you will realize that you already do a great job of savoring, and some of you will come to a different realization and find that you are enjoying at best.

Before I close, let me just address some of the excuses that may already be popping up in your head.

1) "I don't have time to savor."

This was one of the first ones that came to mind for me. But let's face it, if you have time to read this blog post or peruse FB or...or...or..., you have time to spend 10 minutes (at least) in a bubble bath, or taking a walk, or sipping a cup of tea or coffee, or (fill in the blank with something you really enjoy doing). It's not really about quantity as much as quality.

2) "I don't have the money to savor."

This one also came to my mind as we are currently on a very tight budget. It's not like I could pay for a trip to the spa or anything. In fact, I really couldn't even splurge on a new candle scent, bubble bath, or tea cup. Just use what you have! You'll be surprised what you already have hanging out in your house that you can use for this purpose. I found candles I had completely forgotten about. Also, you can hit the sales or even a thrift store.

3) "Kids. Need I say more?"

No, you need not say more. I understand this and although my kids are older than some of yours, I do know that all kids go to bed, and some of them take naps. Instead of using all of their sleep time to catch up on chores (or blogs or FB or even sleep), use some of it to have a moment of savoring. You won't regret it!

Okay, one last thing. When you take this time to truly be quiet and savor, you will find Someone there to meet you. And by someone I do not mean your husband or kids (although I realize this might be a distinct possibility). I am referring to God. You will find that He will meet you right where you are at in that moment and if you are open to it, He will fill you up with His love, grace, and truth! And we can all use a little more of that in our lives! Amen? And just for the record, I did not set out for these savoring times to become "quiet times" per se, but many times that is what just naturally comes to be. When you are truly quiet and present, it gives Him space to show up. It's a truly wonderful thing! I pray you will try it...and if you do, please let me know how your experience turns out!

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

7 comments:

beth said...

Again-very similar journey we're on, my friend. :) And here I am, on FB. ha ha. The one thing I'm afraid of regretting is not being present in my own life-not savoring what God has blessed me with. (specifically my relationships.) Thank God for his grace and faithfulness- that He helps us learn this before it's too late.

Janelle said...

Beautiful! These words have been roaming around my mind today as I had a date with my big Z. I savored every minute of it!

Denise said...

first, i think i'm going to have to add you back to my blog roll, since your back! :-)


second, now i want a bubble bath.

and great post.

yes, i do find that Someone when i savor. but i do have to be very intentional about it. life is so full of distractions, it takes effort to ignore them and to be present in the moments He has given me.

btw- your tea to help you kick the coke habit should be in the mail by the end of the week (got it today).

Kenna Sue said...

I didn't learn to savor until I became single nearly 7 years ago. I was 35. Since then, I savor regularly. It makes all the difference. If you savor, I believe it becomes more difficult to take things for granted.

Colored With Memories said...

good words to chew on! i like your thoughts!

Unknown said...

Love this. I so needed the reminder. I so need to learn to BE STILL and SAVOR. Thanks, Alana!

Sara
www.saracarmichael.blogspot.com
www.carmichaelcorner.blogspot.com

Kristen said...

i LOVED this post. i need to spend more time savoring and not thinking/rushing to the next thing.

i am glad you are back to blogging, i missed you!