I must be in a reflective mood considering what I’m writing about this week.

I’ve allowed myself the luxury of actually reading some books with real covers. Not on my NOOK. I love my NOOK but there’s something about holding a book in my hands that is just so warm and cozy. Feels comforting like hot chocolate on a wintry day.

I love books. A couple I’m reading right now that I find interesting although I’m not sure I’m totally on board.

I also have re-read John Maxwell’s , The Fifteen Invaluable Laws of Growth”. He uses a word other than “space” and I like this word very much.

He writes:

“Incubation is taking an experience of life and putting it into the slow cooker of your mind to simmer for awhile.  It is very similar to meditation. It’s like the “flip side” of prayer. When I pray, I talk to God.  When I meditate, I listen to him. Incubation is listening and learning.”

He says he incubates some thoughts by using the Notes app on his iPhone to store quotes he finds helpful. (I use mine all time but never thought to use it in this way.) He says he keeps them there for days, weeks, or months, however much time it takes to discover an insight. (If you are experiencing depression, this could really help.)

Then Maxwell discusses “aha” moments. You know, those epiphanies when you experience sudden realization or insight. It’s the light bulb turning on.

I love it when that happens.

I agree with Maxwell that the light just doesn’t turn on willy-nilly. It always comes after we’ve been “cooking” something in the back of our mind for awhile. That’s why “spaces” are so good.

A time of space and incubation often gives birth to understanding. 

When we give ourselves space, we find our thinking becomes more focused. Incubation gives us time to process before we act. It gives circumstances a chance to clear up on their own.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been upset about something that time took care of all by itself.

God bless and I hope you have a good day.