Let's Look - Daily Quiet Time

Linking up with Let's Look today.  This month we are looking at our "Daily Quiet/Prayer Time".  

I'll be honest, I started out looking at this topic with a bit of a chip on my shoulder.   I don't have a daily quiet/prayer time.  From reading different blogs, it seems to be quite common for Christians from certain denominations to take part in bible studies and focused prayer time, but as someone on the outside looking in on these bible studies, I wondered if people are engaging in these activities because they actually want to or if they feel like they should do it since everyone else is doing it. (I also have some opinions about what these bible studies are actually teaching, but I'll save that for another day.) Even the inclusion of this as our topic for this month makes an assumption that everyone does this, or should be doing this. 

But I did relax my view a bit, I mean, if you like doing a bible study or prayer time and you get something from it, then great! And sometimes you need to fake it 'til you make it. You can start it as a habit because you think you should be doing it, but then actually derive benefit, and just because I don't do it, I don't need to have an opinion about what others find helpful for their own lives.

Regardless of what you do with your time, I do think it is important to take a few minutes each day to spend time in the quiet. We are surrounded by noise all of the time, and even in moments where it could be quiet, I often find myself adding a podcast or background music. We even put on white noise when we go to sleep now.  

For the most part I am a fairly calm person who doesn't get too upset or anxious about things, but when I find things are getting a bit stressful, I do find it beneficial to take a few minutes by myself.  A few things that I will do when I'm feeling overwhelmed or tired, or need a few minutes of self-care:

- Sit in a sunbeam. I forget where I heard this phrase, but there is something nice about finding some sun coming through the window and sitting in it for a few minutes.

- Say a prayer. Despite my protestations above, I do say prayers on a fairly regular basis.  I start with the things I am thankful for, and then name people that I'm praying for who are sick or going through a difficult time.

- Wash my face. 

- Make a lemon water.

- Listen to the birds. When I go into the office, I have a short walk to the subway and (when I'm not listening to a podcast) I enjoy hearing the birds and seeing the pretty trees and sky.

I don't think I'll ever be a person to carve out specific times of each day to engage in a quiet time, but I will try to remember to cherish those quiet moments of my day when I do have them. 

Linking up with Shay and Erika.