The Best Things To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do

I have recently been doing a little soul-searching.  My friends are exhausted.  Many are feeling void of hope.  Many are struggling with finding purpose in life.  But most are just tired.  So I have compiled a list here of the things that “center” me the most.  Hope these might help you.

1. Take a walk.
Even a casual reading of the New Testament reveals that Jesus and his disciples did a lot of walking. Of course, for them it was the primary form of transportation, not necessarily a spiritual discipline. Still, regularly taking a long walk can quiet your soul and help you draw near to God. Everytime I walk, I find myself wandering into clarity.  Even if it’s only a little at a time.

2.  Say no.
I have been having some discussions with some people very close to me that are just having a hard time with using this word. They are all “yes-men”.  Wanting to please people.  Not wanting to miss out.  Establishing proper boundaries is a critical discipline, and even more so to protect them.  Even Jesus turned down certain requests. People are always stealing our time and energy.  Learning to say no means saying yes to things that will give the soul room to breathe and find rejuvenation.

3. Turn off the TV (or the DVD player, or YouTube, or MySpace)
The amount of information available today is never-ending.  Stop seeking amusement.  This is one area of life that I think can be truly destructive.  We need to be asking ourselves, “How does this benefit me?”  Quite frankly there is not much on TV that is truly beneficial.  Personally I’ve been on a History Channel kick, but even then, there has be boundaries.  See #2.

4. Exercise, i.e. get off your butt
Regular exercise is critical to the health of the soul as well as the body. And research has shown that a healthy body positively impacts a person’s emotional and mental capacities.  Exercise is the best way for me to recharge. Some of my best thoughts come while breaking a sweat. It also allows me time to come face-to-face with my phyisical weaknesses.  Then I can recognize a starting point of what I can work on.

5. Laugh – with people, not at them.
I am appalled sometimes that so much of humor these days is about tearing others down.   Most comedians these days are not even intelligent using putdowns as their main act, or hosting radio shows that involve slamming on their callers.  We are being taught to insult people with alarmingly quick comebacks.  This does not encourage community.  Gathering with people and sharing jokes, or even poking fun at yourself for a change, is bound to encourage some bonding, and in the meantime, take your mind of your troubles.  Or at least not take them so seriously.

6. Get Outside Yourself.
Vacations are about relaxation, mission trips are about serving, but pilgrimages, as I once was told “are an outward expression of an inward journey.” The word may conjure images of superstitious peasants on fastastic quests seeking ancient relics, but some people I know are finding personal pilgrimages meaningful.  Living in the house I grew up in has surprisingly been therapeutic in ways I never imagined.  Taking time to walk up and down the streets of where I grew up allows me to see how far I’ve come, and how much I have learned.  Of course there are other ways to do this – possibly getting away to some place you’ve never been where you can appreciate God’s beauty in a way you never have

7. Find Someone Who’s Been There.
Not exactly therapy, not quite coaching, a mentor offers something else: a God’s-eye view of your soul. Just meeting with a spiritual director every so often can help you recognize God’s movements in his life. If you have someone in your life to help you step back and notice the activity of God in the intimate details of your life, it will almost always give you a fresh sense of hope, with a greater awareness of God’s will.  Isn’t that the point?

8. Meditate in Silence.
The goal is to focus your mind on God so you can commune with him more intimately.   Think about what you know of Him, or maybe things you would like to know.  Try sitting in silence for five minutes.  See what happens.   Afterward, center your thoughts on one word or phrase and allow it to inspire your own prayers to God. I have done this numerous times and usually I remember verses like “think upon things that are holy, beautiful, pure and worthy, and the God of peace will be with you.”  That alone usually reminds me that I usually frazzled because I have lost focus.  I usually lose focus because I am concentrating on things that aren’t healthy for me.  So I switch my line of thinking and I feel peace return.

9. Begin a hobby.
Do something that helps you learn, or grow.  Some hobbies can be highly physical, like surfing or rock climbing. Others were more contemplative and creative, like scrap-booking, playing guitar or blogging.  Find about its history, and those who have helped develop the activity.  Learn what it says about you, and how it can help you, or others, in other areas of life.

10. Write an encouraging letter.
Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.” The proverb does not specify whether the benefit is for the heart that receives the good word or the heart that gives it. I don’t think it matters.  Take time to reflect on a person who has blessed your life and tell them why you are writing them.  This just goes to show that the more love you give away, the more you get in return.  Sir Paul McC said something to that effect I believe.

11. Break something.
I have come across some old furniture in the past, and every now and then, take a bat to it.  34 inches; 34 oz. of aluminum.  Ka-BOOM!  Splinters.  Dining room chair.  In pieces.  Entertainment Center.  Threw it from a truck.  Very entertaining.  An entire stinky sofa.  Threw it from a balcony.  The cloud could be seen from the highway.  Drastic? Perhaps. Therapeutic? Definitely.

12. Spend time with your family.

No agenda. No plans. Just sit and soak them in. Think about showing them love without telling them.  If you couldn’t speak, how would they know you love them?  Focus on them and just remember we don’t have long to enjoy the ones that love us most.

 

What feeds your soul?

Can you even answer this for yourself? 

Take some time.  It’s essential for good living.