Monday, October 27, 2008

Manic Mondays...and tuesdays etc.

We all get busy. I take that as a given. We have our families and/or our careers to deal with. Some of us have life issues that keep us extremely occupied. Many of us are involved with either our church, community, or political party on top of everything else. Sometimes when everything is pulling at you from 5 different directions you just want to scream and tell the world to STOP!

There is always some deadline to deal with. Something that needs to be done that you have to do or make happen. Do you ever want to just stop doing everything? I for one know that it is a BIG temptation to just withdraw and do the things that, in your mind, are more important.


On days like this, when kids need to be a million different places at a million different times, and work is demanding more and more of your time, and you are trying to keep your house in order, and then your church responsibilities need so much of the little time left, and you on top of that are involved in political campaigns, and......................................


That's what I feel like anyway. I just want to throw up the big red stop sign and just collapse. Sometimes I get caught up in thinking "I can't wait till things get less busy."
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But I think I can. I definitely look forward to the small simple pleasures of a few minutes to myself. I have talked to quite a few older people lately who have retired, and whose children are all grown, and they have achieved that all lusted after 'quiet' to themselves. Guess what? They wish that they had appreciated more the life that I sometimes call chaos.
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So I start thinking about it. Do I really want total quiet and time to myself? It sounds so alluring and almost dirty to talk about having time to myself. But after a lot of actual thought I don't think I do. I look forward to each new step in life. Each achievement level my children reach will be welcome and appreciated. But as I think of this journey called life I think I want to enjoy the chaos as long as I can. I know it is not always easy but if it were 'easy' then I don't think it could be so rewarding. I don't think anyone misses changing diapers but who has a teenager with a little attitude who does not miss the limitless hugs from when they were three.
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Anyway, Just thinking out loud. What do you think? Where are you in this circle of life? Are you looking forward to a certain time when things will be 'easier'? Are you missing the days gone by? Anyone want to share tricks(that work) on balancing their time?
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As always, put your brave face on...............and leave a thought.
Have a great day!

16 comments:

Mike said...

Where are you in this circle of life? - Retired and no grandkids yet so my time is my time.

Are you looking forward to a certain time when things will be 'easier'? - HA!

Are you missing the days gone by? - Not even a little bit. Now is now. It always has been and always will be.

Anyone want to share tricks(that work) on balancing their time? - You have to make your own tricks that work for you. Everyone has their own idea of what normal is. If you try to live someone else's normal it will drive you nuts.

EmmaP said...

honestly i have felt like this the whole year so far. i know that i am bringing "busy" upon myself soemtimes. and probably because it is easier than facing the fact that my divorce was final back in January. but honestly, i am all tuckered out! i don't even want to mess with the holidays. can we just fast forward to january right now? on the other hand - i want to have a whole week off of nothing so i can really deep clean my house before the holidays! ugh!

Ronnica said...

I try to take a bit of time to rest each day. This is much easier accomplished in my stage in life, as there are very little demands on my life from other people. I choose whether or not to agree to something. Sure I'm busy, but I can choose to do those things more or less on my own time.

My activity of rest is reading. I try to finish up everything else by 10 at night so I can spend the last 1-2 hours of my day with my Lord and in good books.

Tulsi said...

The best thing for me to hear is the kids arguing playfully. Steve said that was the best thing to hear after being in Afghanistan. We are kind of empty nesters with a spoiled high schooler. I think we are in the circle of life. Next will , maybe, will be grandchildren. I don't think it will be quiet here for a long time, and I'm not sad about that.

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

Staying in the now and not worrying about the past and future allows me to stay focused and enjoy life to its fullest. I can make decisions better, see things not as confused but clearly. Just by saying this too shall pass if there's a crisis or, take in a deep breath, tell myself to just be, and everything else melts away.
The more frenzied, the less gets done...for me, anyway.

Melissa B. said...

I've just had a lovely, relaxing, practically person-free weekend, and it was a blast! No, I'm not a hermit, but everyone but me was away for the weekend. I've been looking forward to decompressing, but now I'm ready for the insanity to begin again!

Rhonda said...

I LONG for the days that will be easier. Teenagers truly suck. I've got one of those, a preteen and a four year old. I know. What the heck was I thinking?

I know I will regret wanting it over when it is finally all said and done, but it doesn't change the fact that while I enjoy bits and pieces of "now", I will be happy when it is done and I can have a life again.

With that said, that you for the head's up on the Kunz family blog. Wow. So very, very sad. What that family wouldn't give for my frustrations, I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

It is natural to feel this way. Some times stepping back and reflecting on things helps us get through those difficult moments. I certainly have had them. But would not trade my crazy day's with anyone.

Rhonda said...

I am happy with the here and now but I'd just like to include a few more "rest stops". I don't want to fast forward, or go back-it'd just be nice to be able to catch my breathe in between all the "stuff". You know how it is..but I'm trying to find more joy in the journey and find something positive even on those days that seem like a big stressball.

Rhonda said...

Oh and my point inlife?

Got 3 teenagers, a 2nd grader, a preschooler and a toddler. Super fun and SUPERRRRR tiring. I just need a nap once a month and I'll be ok.

Jess said...

I hug on my teens every night. Sometimes they love it; other times they are like "go away, mom"!

It sometimes makes me crazy when I have to be at three different places at the same time but I wouldn't have it any other way. I know this won't last forever and I want to sulk in it at long as I can.

Tulsi said...

I lOVE having teenagers. I loved them as babies, toddlers, little kids, but the teens are great. We had a bit of a spread, but it worked out. I have to think of the future to have the now make sense. Also, we have thought back a bit to make the now make sense. We live in the now, but have to think past it to know where we are heading. All of that keeps my balance. I'm not ready for the empty nest, but if anyone lives near us, we won't be empty. Brie and Shane pop in at random times. The others will, too.

Jed said...

I have 6 kids and between me and my wife we are running every which way int the night EVERY night. One teenager drives and that helps but with Football practice, softball, scouts, youth activities for church, work, church callings etc. we sure don't get to catch our breath much. But I cant help but look down the road a bit and know I will miss all the time I get to spend running with/for my kids.

I think the 'trick' is scheduling some time outs for just family time and just couples time because it's important to do things to keep your sanity and stay connected. (Easier said than done I know)

Confessions of A Mississippi Mom said...

no words of wisdom here for accomplishing peace, but I do look forward to more trips. I love to travel and seek new adventures. And with wee ones you just can't drag them every where "it wouldn't be right" but what is right, waiting until you are to old to enjoy traveling. I just don't know nor have an answer... I love not to worry and that is the best advice.

Michelle said...

I am that crazy parent that volunteers to head up just about everything that comes my way. Sometimes it makes me crazy. Like right now! I have a huge fundraiser I'm chairing this Saturday.

This in my youngest last year in Elementary school. My volunteering will drop off after she graduates. I think I will enjoy not being pulled in so many directions, but then again, I will probably miss part of it.

After all, there is a part of me that must dig it or I wouldn't always say YES, sign me up!

Buttons and Dots Photography said...

I am somewhere in the middle. Some kids have grown and moved out and some I can't wait until they do. I so look forward to time to myself and time with my husband without the constant whining, complaining fighting and someone always screaming "Mommy". Not to mention, having some extra money we can spend on something WE want! I do love my kids though...they definitely make life more interesting!

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