I want to blog regularly and life has been crazy lately. I keep thinking I have to have perfect conditions to sit down and share with you. (I am having trouble typing right now because my cat keeps nudging me for attention!-sorry I get easily sidetracked, my friend Linda says we have Bright Shiny Object Syndrome-we get easily distracted!). The needing perfect conditions got me thinking about how I am always seeking this magical balance. I am realizing it doesn’t really exist for me but that is ok, I need to just roll with it and be happy! Which I usually am happy, just frustrated because my To Do list is always so long.
Is it just me or do you all have problems saying no and then getting overwhelmed with commitments? This year is crazy for me-I am making big exciting changes with Happy First, I am the chairman of our local Charity Ball, I am a runner and Mentor with Team in Training, and I am going to be on our PTA board this upcoming school year. It is all stuff I want to do! And then I didn’t plan on my mom being in the hospital/rehab/or ICU since January 29 and she lives 4 hours away.
I am proud of myself-I actually said NO yesterday (and it was a little hard, because I don’t like to be left out). I was asked to do another position at school that I enjoy. But there is always next year. I think if we spread ourselves too thin, we can’t do anything well and our family doesn’t usually like our grumpiness then!
Then I am feeling totally guilty for having any stress or frustration at all because I have some friends that are going through serious health problems (or their child is) or marriage problems so then I just feel grateful that I can be in the position to have too many fun things to do.
Ok, this is so weird-I have this great book that I read every day and this is an excerpt of what I read today, after I already thought of writing about this topic. “There’s no doubt that we will continue to “run”at a certain pace, for life is very busy for most people. To be able to run through life guided by wisdom means knowing your own best pace and allowing for only the amount of activity that can be done realistically and well.” (ooh, good thing I said NO yesterday!)
So in conclusion, for me, there is no perfect balance, just a happy attitude and gratefulness!
What are your thoughts? Would love to hear!
Great Post… My life has become so much richer since i say NO all the time.. it was hard at first but when i see the look of me saying NO in my kids and husbands eyes.. it is well worth it. I had a dream that God told me that when i really got what i was really supposed to be doing in my life and stop being so scattered and saying yes to everything.. That i would see his reflection in my husbands eyes when he looked at me. I carried that thought around with me for 6 months as i said no.. and i got a glimpse of God through my hubby as he looked at me.. i still remember that first glimpse of HIm.. That inspired me to slow down,say NO and really enjoy not being torn in so many directions. Have a great Mother’s Day and can’t wait for some girl time with you.. Love TAmmy
You know I learned to say no last year, and I’m not volunteering nearly as much for things this year. But amazingly my schedule is still crazy busy. Life has a way of filling it I suppose. But at least now I have more control over what I’m doing which is completely more enjoyable.
You are so right Debbie. There is no perfect balance. Balance is like Santa and the Easter Bunny.
Tammy, you have been leading me in this direction of saying no and being focused. I have watched your business flourish as you have focused. And I love the peace you have! Thanks for being such a great friend to me!
Kelly, I totally agree with what you say about life has a way of filling your schedule. But I love how now you have more control over it. Thanks for your comment, it really helps me and others!
Nichola-Thanks for your comment! And i so enjoyed meeting you in New York!
LOVE the excerpt..so true!! Thanks for sharing. Curious to what book you are reading.
Jennifer, a good friend gave me this book-“The one year Daily Wisdom” by Tyndale publishing. It is a daily devotional on the book of Proverbs. I love Proverbs-full of wisdom and common sense for everyone. That excerpt was a commentary on Proverbs 4. Glad you liked it!