How does the saying go? “Trying to stuff a 50 lb. sausage into a 10 lb. sack.”

Not a pretty picture.

Raking leaves, I was stuffing as much as I could into one big industrial strength bag – even if that meant laying on the bag to compress for more room.

One might ask: “Why don’t you just get another bag?”

Great question! (and one I asked myself)

Answer? Don’t want to waste bags, stop and take the time to go inside for another when you’re on a raking roll.

Is this genetic? I’m sure my Mom would have done that.
(May she rest in the peace of now accessing free bags for raking in heaven, which must be part of the eternal garden story.)

If you don’t have to rake leaves, this doesn’t apply. But there might be another aspect that does.

What things in your life have you “been stuffing in a 10 lb sack”? When things are stuffed down so tight, at some point, not even the toughest industrial bag will hold them.

What is the spill-over? It spills over into our relationships. It is holding on to our own plans so tight that we miss the God-incidences that He brings our way.

It robs us of joy and peace in the name of getting s**t done.

When I’m so nose-down tail feathers up, looking at the world through the eyes of a child can be stuffed down and suffocated in that bag. I can miss the beauty (and brokenness) that is constantly surrounding me. especially in the most breathtaking time of fall when the golden light and colours will quickly fade.

Don’t miss the one-time opportunities that may come your way unexpectedly to be there for someone in that precious moment in time: to spread joy, encouragement and hope.

Our time here is short – like those leaves. My choice is to be fertilizer. How about you?At some point when things are stuffed down so tight, not even the toughest industrial bag will hold them.

What is the spill-over? It spills over into our relationships. It is holding on to our own plans so tight that we miss the God-incidences that He brings our way.

It robs us of joy and peace in the name of getting s**t done.

When I’m so nose-down tail feathers up, looking at the world through the eyes of a child can be stuffed down and suffocated in that bag. I can miss the beauty (and brokenness) that is constantly surrounding me. especially in the most breathtaking time of fall when the golden light and colours will quickly fade.

Don’t miss the one-time opportunities that may come your way unexpectedly to be there for someone iWhat things in your life have you ‘been stuffing in a 10 lb sack”?
n that precious moment in time: to spread joy, encouragement and hope.

Our time here is short – like those leaves. My choice is to be fertilizer. How about you?

Nancy Thygesen

Nancy Thygesen (BFA, MPS) is an artist, faith-based art therapist, movement specialist and inspiring speaker, sharing and teaching through the universal languages of art and movement. My mission in therapy and creating art is to support and inspire that creative light that heals mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Click here to get my downloadable PDF Cultivating Creativity.