Margin

I’m making a more concentrated effort this week to turn off my devices an hour or two before I go to bed at night. By devices here I’m specifically talking about things with a screen, including but not limited to- laptop, iPod touch, games, etc. Instead I want to spend that time reading and reflecting. I’ve been convicted a little that I don’t get enough time to wind down at night, clear my thoughts, or give my thoughts some room to breathe. It’s hard to take stock of the day or make meaningful connections in my brain if that space is filled up with other things.

Reflective thinking makes me more grounded while letting me take off all at the same time.

John Maxwell says “reflective thinking has three main values- it gives me perspective within context; it allows me to continually connect with my journey; and it provides counsel and direction concerning my future.” Being able to continually connect with my journey is something I want to do more of and be better at. I confess that I don’t spend as much time as I’d like meditating on where I’ve been, where I am, and how it all fits together to the larger story, the larger journey. As a single college student I used to be quite good at this. But now with a family the time and space that used to be so abundant and taken for granted is filled in with other good things. And so you have to work at it. You have to set it aside. Margin doesn’t come freely anymore. But it’s important for me to set time aside to wonder, to imagine, to let my thoughts wander. Reflective thinking makes me more grounded while letting me take off all at the same time. It accomplishes both. And a good way to start is by making concrete steps to remove the margin munchers, the things that eat up that time. It might sound a little boring at first, but I know it will be worth it.