Stealing Time

 


I haven't had a lot of  "Me" time lately.  Between work and getting everyone ready for everything after work, I haven't had much time for me. I can't remember the last time I've been able to read uninterrupted for longer than five minutes.  By the time I've been able to sit down and work on my blog posts, I'm practically passing out at the keyboard.  I should just go to sleep and worry about it in the morning, but darn it, I need my time.  I've become very stubborn about that. 

I'm an introvert.  I need quiet on occasion.  I need to retreat inside my head for a little while every day.  That is just how I am.  When I can't do that, I get grumpy, then confused, forgetful, and anxious. I understand this aspect of my personality, and I do try to allow myself some of that quiet time. Unfortunately, life doesn't always cooperate, and my batteries get very low, and they stay low, just when I need to be on top of things. 

So how does one recharge a depleted battery when there's no down time to do so?  Perhaps a mini-vacation to a spa?  Maybe just a mental vacation, a few minutes of meditation.  Power napping?  Looking at pictures of sleeping cats?  Take the dog for a walk? 

Everyone seems to look to me for answers.  I should be able to come up with a solution for this, but my brain seems to be complete mush right now.  I guess I just need to sleep. And nap.  Maybe retreating into dreams will help me recharge.  I could dream about the quiet places...

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
• Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post (in the sidebar). .
• Link up your post here. 
• Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Holy Spaces

San Fernando Cathedral was founded in 1731 and is the oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the State of Texas. In other words, it's freakin' old. When I am downtown, I like to go there to meditate for a bit.

As soon as you enter the cathedral, you feel the hush. Say what you will about the Catholics who colonized this area, they understood viscerally how to inspire the awe necessary to any House of God. The smell of incense permeates the very bones of this place. There is no doubt that you are in a holy space, whatever your religion. The interior is cool and quiet, a sweet blessing on a hot day. There's something comforting about the permanence of a building that has been here for so very long.

I like to sit in the back. As I kneel, I can sometimes feel the prayers of the millions of worshippers who have come through this cathedral over the centuries whispering around me. When I add my prayers to theirs, it feels like my ghostly fellow penitents give my prayers more power, as my words seem to rise like the smoke of incense into the air above me.

What are some holy or sacred spaces that bring you peace?