Winding Down (Audio)
Remember those old windup clocks? From wrist watches, pocket watches, to alarm clocks, they all worked because someone took the time to wind up the spring that slowly released under pressure so you could tell the time. Accurately. Some amazing designer understood the mechanics and created something that would work every time. No undercharged or dead batteries to account for. No reason to worry about a power outage. Just a good mechanical ingenuity!
I remember when my first wristwatch had an alarm function so I could set a reminder for a major event away from home. Of course, when electronic gizmo’s started showing up I was so thankful! I’ve not worn a wristwatch in about 40 years. I still have a little electronic pocket calculator/clock from about 1983 and it still works, as long as I replace the battery every so often. That little thing went with me everywhere! Church, school, mowing the yard, and even on vacation!
But clock and watches were not the only things wound up. Any number of toys, balsa wood airplanes, yoyo’s, tops, and any host of other things I cannot remember just now. Wait! I just remembered that Jack-in-the-box! Even some engines required a wind-up so that a spark, compression, and ignition would start the crankshaft spinning – Eureka! Now, enjoy the motion until you run out of fuel!
But the concept of winding up, only to wind down, is nothing new. We’ve been doing it for centuries. You wind yourself up to face the day or some special obligation, and then at the end of your pressure point, you need some time to unwind. Something to release the pent-up pressure of the day!
Eventually, everything that winds up, winds down. From a stop, to a go, to another stop – it’s a cycle. Almost like this little joke that has no end, but a cycle to show you can keep something going forever!
Pete and Repeat were sitting on a fence.
Pete fell off, who was left? Repeat!
Some things we wind up in this perpetual re-do until such time we don’t. As I think this through I realize that the year is “winding down” and it’s about time to start a new year. Planning? Goal setting? New start? As you wind down, what are you preparing to wind up and start fresh January 1st?
Then I think to our daily life and realize that for 40-50 years you wind up yourself to life and hope you prepared for the wound down-time, albeit the temporary one at the end of the day, or the longed plan day of retirement.
Remember. We are not a perpetual motion machine on the go all the time. We need the downtime that allows us to successfully prepare rewind for the new day!
This morning, Boxing Day, I was thinking about all those poor people who have to spend time unwinding their Christmas Decorations, storing them away for future use. The tree comes down, the lights are tangled up in a box, ornaments, and displays gently packed away. All waiting for the next seasonal use.
And then one of my Twitter feeds posted this little tidbit:
“There are 364 days left until Christmas and some nuts already have their Christmas lights and trees up! Ridiculous!!! Shaking my head…” ~Tim Joiner
There are some who live in a perpetual Christmas Season mentality. Their spirit is always lit up like a Christmas Tree. Their giving spirit is always alive and showing everyone the purpose of life is to be a giver. They never wind down, only to wait for the next windup. They are always wound! Sometimes tightly! Yes! Sometimes too tightly…
But we’ve been around some that always need a pep talk to get them going. Again. Sometimes it’s the same pep talk, at the same time, for the same reason. For some, depression hits them and unless someone talks them off the ledge then tragedy awaits just a step away. I believe if I were to ever find myself in this type of position I would find the mechanism to learn how to wind myself back up and not require someone else to do it!
When I find myself needing a “talking to” a scripture inevitably pops into my mind. When things are bad and you need to pick yourself up, take ownership of your own action first!
Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV)
But do not be responsible for yourself alone. There are many who do need someone to pick them up, or to spend time with positive influence to keep them focused forward. Take ownership of helping others!
Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, “Be of good courage!” So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, “It is ready for the soldering”; Then he fastened it with pegs, That it might not totter. (Isaiah 41:6-7 NKJV)
Be ready to wind yourself up for the task, and help your neighbor at the same time. If we all do this together how much better the results will be!