Leave Your House
Leave Your House
Leave your house. Roll the windows down and drive around town. Get lost in old mixtapes and playlists as you lose your voice and travel down new roads. Find a coffee shop and order an almond milk latte with honey and cinnamon. Life is short, so make it sweet. And like the Spice Girls said, spice up your life. You’ll love it. Sometimes you just need to spend $7 on yourself. After all, you’re worth it.
Leave your house and go to church. When the service begins, give thanks to God. He deserves all the praise. When it’s time, share the peace of the Lord. Turn and shake hands and smile and be awkward and sit back down. This is the only way to share the peace of the Lord. Put money in the offering plate. Sing out of key or off tune, but sing. Nod during the announcements even if you aren’t listening. You probably aren’t listening. Stand for the reading of the Gospel. Fold your hands for the prayer. Take notes or a nap during the message. Give thanks to God when the service ends, because I know you’re ready to go home, but know that you are going with the peace of the Lord.
Leave your house and go to Costco. You don’t need to order your groceries directly to your front door. Go and be around people. You were not meant to be alone. Grab a cart and get frustrated by how many people are at the grocery store. Get a case of sparkling water. Get enough boxes of macaroni and cheese to feed a small army. Get a rotisserie chicken. Before you get your receipt checked, buy a $1.50 hot dog. Costco has a five-star restaurant right next to the restrooms.
Leave your house and go to the park. Leave your phone in the car. You don’t need your phone for everything. Walk the trails and notice the growing and changing world. You are growing and changing, too. Sit on the bench and watch your neighbors walk their dogs. Say hi to a stranger, but don’t linger. No one likes a lingerer, but everyone likes to be seen and known. And you cannot be seen and known unless you leave your house.
About the Author
Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.
He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.
You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.
His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.
Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.
You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.
Tanner Olson wearing a Written to Wear t-shirt. grab one here: writtentowear.com