Taking it easy…

Life is hectic.  You know, I think life is more hectic now than it might have ever been in my entire life.  Not stressful, but hectic.  I have “stuff” going on at all times.  I am a partner/owner in ten businesses: HealthSprout, The Garage, CrossFit Towne Lake, CrossFit Bridgemill, CrossFit Silos, The Garage Games, Firebreather Challenge, 60 Day Turnaround, Communic8 – the Art of Chiropractic Communication, GarageMedia.TV and small ancillary businesses within these.

My point, is that if I were not intentional in both my effort to compartmentalize my life (not let everything just blend into everything else), or my effort to take time to just “chill”, I would be a nervous wreck.  I would be a disaster… well, maybe I am, but I am an effective disaster.  And the reason why I am an effective disaster, is because I know to take it easy.

One of my partners recently commented while I was not present to some other partners, “I don’t know how someone can just live their life comfortable being late all the time.”  He was referring to me.  And the reason why, is because I know that my presence isn’t necessary.  That it is requested, and that I am busy, and that I will not let anything stress me out… even being late… really late.  Whatever, you don’t need me as much as you think.  Likewise, nobody needs you as much as you think, sorry, it might hurt… take it easy.  God wants you stress-less.

So tonight, I am in the midst of so many important things.  Yet, I am writing this with my younger brother to my left, my wife to my right, his wife further right, staring at a fire, drinking some wine, and talking about life.  He is moving here in a few months, just got himself a house to rent for his family, and then he’ll be working with me, taking care of you.  Changing spines and building health.  I look forward to it, the opportunity to take this office back to where we were a few years ago, and then beyond.

The community is hurting.  Health is failing.  The need is evident, and our ability to help is obvious, so we’ll take it up to 1,000 visits a week.  But, not without taking it easy.  Ephesians says to imitate Christ.  Jesus was relational if nothing else.  He built incredible relationships, He invested in the lives of people.  He stopped to take it easy, and by doing so he demonstrated one of the most important traits that we could follow.  Rest, don’t stress, and get to know people.

I wish I was better at the latter of those.

I am great at taking it easy, and being low stress, but I don’t always dig into the lives of others the way I should.  I wish I would just always be committed to others.  But if not, well… I guess I have something to strive for.  How about you?  We all have seasons of life that don’t match up with our goals, where we aren’t necessarily who we want to be.  But if it goes on for three years, five, a decade… is it a season?  Or are we now stuck in a destructive pattern?

None of us will sit and say “I am exactly where I thought I would be at this point in my life, I have achieved the exact success that I had hoped for in all areas”.  I have a good friend who just built a house on the beach on Martha’s Vineyard.  Pretty cool place to be.  BUT, he is not where he expected to be at this point.

My point in all of this, as I jump around discussing all of these concerns over our comfort, or our success, is that we as a people are a stressed out bunch.  We want more, whether it be stuff, or success, or reach, or… legacy.  We want to leave a bigger mark on the world, and people around us.  And though I believe there are good reasons behind many of these desires, our real goal should be to look for God’s view of our lives, figure out how to serve and fulfill, and be content.

Men are bad at this by the way.  We are so competitive… in ways that we shouldn’t be.  Do work.  Good work, and you will be fulfilling your destiny.

Enjoy a fire, take it easy. Be well and Be blessed! – Dr. E