Monday, September 29, 2014
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Tuesday at Ten - New Weekly Writing Series
As if I haven't learned my lesson yet, I am giving another writing series a try. Same conditions apply. Everyone knows and hopefully understands that the day I write about the prompt word will not most likely be the day I am supposed to write about it. At least, odds are likely that I'm going to miss a few at first. And that I am not writing to be the best at writing about the prompt word, but because I simply want to write. It's all about me. But if all goes well, my brain will become less like spaghetti and more organized like, say... corn on the cob...., and over time, I will remember Take the Trash Out Thursdays (where I remember to take the trash out so that the city sanitation department staff can be more effectively utilized).
It could happen.
Don't give up on me. God isn't through with me yet.
So this writing series is called Tuesday at Ten and it is organized by Karen Beth at her blog Finding the Grace Within. And today's prompt is "Time". (How appropriate, right?!?)
There is no time limit other than you have to link up by the end of the day. Follow the link above to get instructions on how to link up if you think you might want to join in on all of this overwhelmingly fun stuff!
-- TIME --
Why I wasn't born with the natural ability to manage my time without making lists, spreadsheets and pie charts, I have no idea. I have often said that I over-task instead of multi-task, which means that although I do lots of things, I don't do lots of things very well. It's been suggested that I slow down or prioritize my activities but everyone seems to have a different opinion on what is a priority.
The world will tell you to be sure you take time for yourself. For many of my friends, that means stopping to get a mani/pedi on the way home, or having the occasional girls' night out. While those things are indeed fun, I usually leave those activities feeling a little more stressed out than I did before. Why? Because I am entirely too thrifty and in my head, I have a list of things I need to pay for. A pricey dinner or a mani/pedi isn't even on the list.
So, the advice that usually follows that explanation is to take some time to do something solely for me that doesn't cost anything. The problem with that is that I see time as more valuable than money. If I am reading a book for four hours, I am missing time with my family. As a mom of a new college student, I am acutely aware of how quickly they grow up and how bittersweet it is to realize that those missed moments can't be pulled back and relived.
So, it sounds like I am living in a perpetual state of anxiety, doesn't it? Always running behind, chasing the money trail that leads to tranquility and peace? The answer is no. I was at one time and that got me absolutely nowhere. Always in fear of not paying the mortgage or breaking a promise to my child about some event I said we could go to. That was the old me. The new me sees with different eyes and I'm not sure what brought about the change, except that I have been through worse and I survived and I know that if I have to go through any of it again, I will be going through it as a butt-kicking home & family crisis expert that could write a book about it all.
If she had time.
Much of my anxiety of the past was from not understanding who I am and what makes me happy. Having a big house and being debt free is NOT going to make me happy. Coming home and piling up in front of the TV every night is NOT going to make me happy. Making a difference in the lives of others and making pretty things while having no regrets IS what makes me happy.
So I came to the conclusion that although I'm far from perfect when it comes to time management, as long as I am accomplishing these two things in some form or fashion, I can be anxiety-free.
My time nowadays is spent counting the sexy blue-eyed glances from my husband, the smiles of my kids (all of them), and the moments that make me proud to be a mom and wife. I find ways at work to provide value to my employer and I can see how I affect the bottom line. While growing my business, I meet new people and make new connections and learn more about living.
And I have more opportunities to be a positive example to others and to grow in Christ, which is my favorite way to spend my time.
I love where I've ended up and I do not regret the time it took to get here.
It could happen.
Don't give up on me. God isn't through with me yet.
So this writing series is called Tuesday at Ten and it is organized by Karen Beth at her blog Finding the Grace Within. And today's prompt is "Time". (How appropriate, right?!?)
There is no time limit other than you have to link up by the end of the day. Follow the link above to get instructions on how to link up if you think you might want to join in on all of this overwhelmingly fun stuff!
-- TIME --
Why I wasn't born with the natural ability to manage my time without making lists, spreadsheets and pie charts, I have no idea. I have often said that I over-task instead of multi-task, which means that although I do lots of things, I don't do lots of things very well. It's been suggested that I slow down or prioritize my activities but everyone seems to have a different opinion on what is a priority.
The world will tell you to be sure you take time for yourself. For many of my friends, that means stopping to get a mani/pedi on the way home, or having the occasional girls' night out. While those things are indeed fun, I usually leave those activities feeling a little more stressed out than I did before. Why? Because I am entirely too thrifty and in my head, I have a list of things I need to pay for. A pricey dinner or a mani/pedi isn't even on the list.
So, the advice that usually follows that explanation is to take some time to do something solely for me that doesn't cost anything. The problem with that is that I see time as more valuable than money. If I am reading a book for four hours, I am missing time with my family. As a mom of a new college student, I am acutely aware of how quickly they grow up and how bittersweet it is to realize that those missed moments can't be pulled back and relived.
So, it sounds like I am living in a perpetual state of anxiety, doesn't it? Always running behind, chasing the money trail that leads to tranquility and peace? The answer is no. I was at one time and that got me absolutely nowhere. Always in fear of not paying the mortgage or breaking a promise to my child about some event I said we could go to. That was the old me. The new me sees with different eyes and I'm not sure what brought about the change, except that I have been through worse and I survived and I know that if I have to go through any of it again, I will be going through it as a butt-kicking home & family crisis expert that could write a book about it all.
If she had time.
Much of my anxiety of the past was from not understanding who I am and what makes me happy. Having a big house and being debt free is NOT going to make me happy. Coming home and piling up in front of the TV every night is NOT going to make me happy. Making a difference in the lives of others and making pretty things while having no regrets IS what makes me happy.
So I came to the conclusion that although I'm far from perfect when it comes to time management, as long as I am accomplishing these two things in some form or fashion, I can be anxiety-free.
My time nowadays is spent counting the sexy blue-eyed glances from my husband, the smiles of my kids (all of them), and the moments that make me proud to be a mom and wife. I find ways at work to provide value to my employer and I can see how I affect the bottom line. While growing my business, I meet new people and make new connections and learn more about living.
And I have more opportunities to be a positive example to others and to grow in Christ, which is my favorite way to spend my time.
I love where I've ended up and I do not regret the time it took to get here.
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