Getting Stuff Done
It’s been so long here in Southwest Michigan since we’ve seen the bright yellow ball that suspends in the sky, I almost forgot what the sun looks and feels like! Similar to an uninvited house guest who has overextended their welcome, April showers have hung around well into May and quite frankly, I am getting tired of waking up to grey skies and going to bed with rain trickling down my windows. However, there was a day this week where we had a break in the clouds, and I felt like the band was back together! The sun was shining, my windows were open, I could hear the birds singing, and all that put a little pep in my step. I was motivated to get stuff done!
I pulled my white note pad out of my desk drawer and, as I began writing down my list of things to do, I realized how much I’ve been unable to accomplish while the sun was on hiatus. I have windows to wash, flowers to plant, projects to paint…all of that on top of my normal workload, activities and commitments. Suddenly my confident and carefree attitude that told me I could manage this day like a boss turned into panic and pressure…how am I going to tackle all these projects and fit everything in? I know myself well enough to see the potential catastrophe that can happen.
I love people but I am also a task-oriented person and when I set my mind to something, I can get really irritated if anything – or anyone – gets in my way. I begin to see people as threats in my task-oriented world, so I go on high alert. I tend to ignore everyone else as I plow my way through my projects, focused and determined, and if my husband suggests something that prohibits the success of my task, I get frustrated and withdraw. I also become anxious and irritable. I don’t like getting that way and my family certainly doesn’t appreciate that about me either. Honestly, it’s not much fun for anyone.
They (meaning the experts) say that awareness is the first step toward change. At least I have that going for me! I am aware and have learned the hard way that when my schedule is chocked full, my heart becomes empty. I lose sight of what really matters. The urgent things overtake the important things. While projects need to be done and commitments require our attendance, at the end of the day nothing is more important than my marriage relationship. If I’m too busy to make time for my husband, the clouds roll in and our marriage turns grey.
The good news is, while I can’t control the weather outside, I can determine the climate inside my home! I have the power to change those grey skies simply by carving out time to have some fun! The activity doesn’t matter – just spending time together creates unpredictable fun, laughter, chemistry and intimacy…so much so that I just realized I’m going to write “Date Night” at the top of my list!
“Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 91:12
