Filling your bucket...

We live in a world of chaos and running from one thing to another. Trying to keep our heads above water, we often forget to take time for us. If someone asked you WHO YOU ARE.... what would you answer?? I'm a Mother, Father... I'm a daughter, son... I work here, or do this for a living... I play volleyball, or am a senior in high school. I'm sure these are a few things that come to your mind. But WHO ARE YOU really?? Not what you do, or a title that has been put upon you. But deep down what is it that makes you tick. What makes you leave an impact on this world?

Many times in life we forget to take time to enjoy each individual second. What a blessing it is that we have that very second! We are so wrapped up in keeping things clean, running the kids here and there, cooking dinner, going to work, keeping the yard up, doing homework, or winning the next game that we forget to play! We forget to have fun.

I picture our give source as a bucket of water. Everyone close to you has a ladle for which they scoop the water out of your bucket. "Mom I need this", or "Honey can you fix this." It's the water that we serve others with. Sadly enough though, if you don't dip that bucket full of water quite frequently, you will run dry very quickly. I have felt like this before. When there just isn't anything else to give! You are so run down and worn out from giving everything you have to everyone that is demanding it of you. Sometimes even that bucket can get so dry that it starts to wear a hole in the bottom, to a point wear it really takes a lot to hold water at all.

So what can we do to not have this problem? How can we fill our buckets up enough so we don't feel like we are running dry or even on empty all the time? The answer is simple.... TAKE TIME FOR YOU! You need that time as bad as everyone else does. You need to take time doing something you love. Something that makes you smile, rejuvenates you in a way so you do feel refreshed and full again. It can be as simple as going for a walk, reading a book, going hunting for the morning, or even just a long drive alone to think. It is so important that we do this so our buckets don't get run down and broken to the point we can't help or keep up with anything. As I have been foot zoning several people the past few months I noticed how many of us really struggle with this. It's almost like we feel guilty to take time for us. STOP.... you should feel guilty if you don't! If you are not in a state to help those around you, it hurts them also. This reminds me of a childhood quote I saw on my  friends fridge. It stated,  "If momma ain't happy... ain't nobody happy! " Isn't this the truth! Help those out that are dearest to you by taking the time for you!

So what happens if you try to do something for you, but it has been so long that you don't even remember what it is that you enjoy. This is when your bucket has become broken. You just simply don't remember how to put water back into it.  This may seem strange to even think has possible happened, but I have seen it at this point. Plain and simple, it is TIME!
Time to figure out what used to make you smile, what you used to enjoy. And if you can't think of anything, then find some new hobbies. Things that you can discover with your spouse or family to make memories together. One of the biggest way I fill my bucket is taking the time to laugh and play with my kids. Their sweet spirits do it every time!! Make a list of ideas and then try and do one thing a week just to fill your bucket!
Here's a list of ideas for those that may need a jump start at remembering or discovering new ideas to have fun.

Hike to a river or cave in your area
Go to a park and swing
Build a sand castle, or snowman
Go camping
Read a book
Have a bubble bath (with chocolate of course)
Sing out loud
Dance
Woodworking
Craft
Skiing or Snowboarding
Watch a movie
Have a water fight
Watch a sunset


When was the last time that you truly laughed because you were truly happy or just having fun? If you can't think instantly of a time, it has been way to long! If you can be willing to try and find the humor and joy in things instead of getting upset, day to day trials will become simple tiny speed bumps. Our perspectives will change, and we will live a happier life day to day.

 “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”