It's Been a Bad Week All Around

It's funny. I was walking around in my own little world, worrying about my petty little worries. I wasted a good part of this week doing so. And as I finally resurfaced from the spot I had been in, I started talking to other people. What I found out, is that they had been going through troubles of their own. It seemed there was something in the air this week for some of the people in my life.

It made me think of a story that a very wise friend once told me .... (I hope it doesn't lose something in the retelling. I was told this tale about 20 years ago so I'm afraid I'll have to make up the details that I am missing).

Three people who were each dealing with very stressful problems (at the time I was told this story the 3 of us sitting at the table were dealing with cancer, a child with serious health issues and the after effects of an abusive marriage), once went to a very wise man and asked for him to take their problems away. The wise man agreed and each of them were immediately rid of their problems. But what they got in exchange was one of the other problems the other people were living with. After a short time, these same three people returned to the wise man and asked for their original problems back.

No matter what we are dealing with in life, no matter how unsurmountable it feels to us at the time ... is something we are capable of handling. I've heard it said many times that 'you are never given more than you can bear'. Many people have had to bear burdens that would break the best of us, but they do overcome and grow stronger.

As I looked at the table with people who had problems much bigger than my own (or so it seemed from my perspective), I realized how fortunate I really was.

And this week has been much the same (on a much smaller scale). It's all about perspective sometimes...

Life's Balancing Act

Boy, I was sure teetering on this balance beam called 'life' the past few days. I let one little thing throw me for a loop. I was berating myself, telling myself to get a grip and let it go. I have no idea why I held on to the negativatity. But I did. And it almost knocked me off the 'beam' of life temporarily.

Life is all about balance. And when all the areas (work, love, family, friends, spiritual, time for ones self, etc) are all in good working order, lifes little glitches are just a blip. When one of the above (or more) is not in good working order everything else is a tad off kilter.

I can tell when I need to tend some portion of my life. There are usually subtle warning signs and as a rule I heed them. I don't know why I was so out of kilter lately, but I'm grateful that I'm 'fixed' again.

No more teetering. I'm balanced and ready to head forward again.

Back in Perspective

My little prayer must have worked this morning. I'm feeling a little wiser. And a lot more serene.

It never fails that doing something productive is a sure fire way to get a person out of a slump. I started puttering around with the photo album section of 'The Book' late this afternoon. And, providing everything I did works out once it hits the press, I think that portion of the book is done! Complete! Finished!!

And I've pretty much figured out what I need to know to get at the writing portion. I am actually ready to start on 'Chapter 3' (though much editing is already required - I just needed to get some words down to get me motivated).

Okay!! I think I am back. I was a little lost for a while, but I am found. Whew!!

The Serenity Prayer

"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference"
Amen

This prayer has been rising to the surface of my consciousness this morning.

I seem to be in a place where I need to 'know the difference'. The state in between courage and accepting is a very draining place to be.

So I guess I'll pray for wisdom.

My Exercise Buddy

On weekdays, it seems too hard to get up and exercise at 5:30 a.m. So, I have been exercising in the evenings instead. My Youngest is a real little trooper and has kept me company the past few evenings. Even during the weekend when I had already exercised before he got up, he exercised on his own. He has pretty good stamina, considering this is a 4 day habit for him. Kids tend to sit idle a lot these days, so if exercising together keeps both of us moving I'd say that is a good thing!

My Youngest's suggestion that we eat healthier and cut down on snacks was also a good idea. Unfortunately we both kind of fell off that bandwagon rather quickly. My Son lasted one more day than I did.

It was a quiet day. I like Mondays like that. Things will pick up around here tomorrow and I'll have a few more kids. Nothing too much, but it will be a little busier and a little noisier. I haven't really been a very effective child care provider lately. My mind has been in so many places, I do what I must do but I can't say that I do it all that well. That shall be my goal for the rest of the week (and onward). This time of year, I think we are all itching for warm weather and sunshine (and the snow to melt). It won't be long now ....

Spinning in Circles

It was simply that kind of day ...

I started with the best of intentions. I didn't sit idle. Nor did I really accomplish much. Troubleshooting seems to be the second theme of 2008 for me. But the main goal of 2008 is pushing myself out of my comfort zone and following through on my ideas.

I am still focusing on my main goal. The troubleshooting is taxing my resources but it is not overtaking them.

I have more questions than answers today. And after a day like this, I normally wake up with a fresh perspective on things in the morning. That, I am counting on.

In the mean time, I took time to spend some time with My Youngest this afternoon. We both needed that.

Now ... to put my brain to rest. It's tired tonight.

Up With the Birds

I love the early morning hours. I love waking up with a spring in my step and happy thoughts wafting through my mind. I love waking up with energy and enthusiasm. I love mornings like this.

What a wonderful way to start the day. My body and mind must be all rested up because I'm raring to go again.

I remember a friend telling me once (as she had found an enthusiasm for life that I simply couldn't imagine at the time), that there were simply not enough hours in the day for her to do everything she wanted to do. I have 'arrived'. I am where she was. The days are too short for me to fit in everything I want (not need!) to do.

I love it!