Enjoying the little things

People are always saying they are busy. It's something that I didn't understand a couple of years ago when I didn't really have anything going on, but I thought maybe I will understand when I have a house and a wife and so on. But now I have a house, a wife, two businesses and I still don't understand. I know some people will say, "Just wait 'til you have kids." but those are the same people that said, "Wait 'til you are married and have a house." So if you are saying that, just be quiet. Currently in my life I have two very different businesses - walk in love, a retail store, is open every day. Everyday I have 3-4 out of 8 employees working at some point in the day. I do have an awesome manager, my brother, who handles the day to day, which is incredible.  You can never underestimate the power of great employees, but I am still responsible for quite a bit.  I have to make sure that it's running smoothly and that product is coming in at the right time in the right amounts. So while walk in love. is daily, it's also a couple of months in advance. We are currently planning Christmas- so it's today, but also the next couple of months.

Brooke Courtney Photography is very different. It's today, this week and next year. Today we need to make sure that our clients questions answered, photos are being edited and things are running smoothly. This week we need to make sure that we have all our wedding and portrait details finalized, our camera gear ready and travel directions. Next year we need to make sure that we are booking enough dates so we don't have to get jobs at Starbucks (although we love Starbucks).

So, if you asked me if I feel like I am busy I would say, "Yes...but no." Yes, because the next free date on our calendar is September 25th. Yes, because we have Smilebooth events for the next 6 weekends before a break. Yes, because we have 4 weddings in the next 6 weeks. Yes, because our shirts coming out at Christmas need to be designed.....but still no. I am not busy because I enjoy the little things. I enjoy the house that I live in, I enjoy the cats we have, I enjoy the beautiful wife I have from her head all the way down to her toes (see photos above). I don't allow myself to choose busyness over enjoying life or use "being busy" as an excuse.   I choose daily to be productive, to be energetic and to be excited about what I have to do. I also choose to make time for the things that matter to me. I try to see my mom once a week even if it's for 5 minutes because that matters to me. I make time to exercise because I don't like feeling fat. I make time for video games because it relaxes me.  The list goes on and on.

I know a few people who say, "I am really busy" a lot and most of the time I just want to say, "bulls**t." I feel like most people who say that are using it as an excuse because they don't want to admit to themselves that they could be living a better life, a more full life.

I love the way the message says Ephesians 5:11

"Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!"

Don't use the excuse of busyness or the useless things that are making you busy to waste your life. There is so much more to live for. It doesn't mean you have to climb a mountain, it just means do something that matters to you and matters to God. For me it's enjoying the little things.