This time last year, we were traveling in Oregon and the pace was slow, the scenery stunning and I had a lot of time to refresh, reflect, play games with my kids and enjoy family renewal. I left home this past Saturday morning for this year’s vacation hoping for a repeat and even better. My vision was for long (solo) walks on the beach, refreshing reading, fun play time with my kids, deep conversations with my husband. What was I thinking??!!
Driving down the coast of California with a 7 and 10 year old in tow, making periodic stops at California Missions does NOT a fairytale make. I’f you’d been with us, here’s a bit of what you might have heard…(see if you relate)
“Pay attention and look at this view! People come from all over the world to see this beautiful landscape!”
“Stop hitting your brother!”
“There’s a statue of Father Serra – let’s get another a picture”
“Don’t you dare touch your sister again!”
“No, we’re not going to the beach until the end of the day”
“Write this down, this will be good for your report on the California Missions this fall.” (You would hear muttering in response.)
“Please be quiet, we’re going to stop in just 2 hours a few minutes!”
Needless to say, as I sit here in the hotel room this morning (the pool is closed for maintenance, the beach has no beachside cafes and the one umbrella topped tables is full of HS girls in their pajamas playing on their i-phones). I figure there must be something good from all this I can share with you. The must be a lesson here somewhere.
Because you see, I woke up early with my heart racing thinking of the things I left undone when we left for vacation. Those items are still sitting on my computer in my inbox. The phone calls still need to be made. The emails still need to be returned. The blog posts written. The sheer volume of WORK! It’s overwhelming.
This re-starting a business has been a lot harder and slower than I anticipated. I envisioned a quick turnaround. I pictured myself as a speedy jet boat, making a swift, powerful, unencumbered 180, then racing quickly in the other direction.
I guess the reality is that I’m more of a cruise ship. Loaded down with husband and kiddos and activities and responsibilities. With that in mind, I’m taking a big breath and going to share with you a few ideas that helped me this morning. Maybe they will help you navigate your circumstances too. I’m writing this in first person, so please put your name in here and feel free to make it your own.
I’m me, not anyone else. In the midst of my anxiety this morning I opened an email from a very well know and extremely successful female speaker. She has started a world-wide ministry, written a bazillion books including 2 NY Times best sellers, has an enormous online and in-person following, adopted like 10 kids from Africa, has a bedazzling marriage….well, you get the picture. What trap did I fall into again? That’s right. Comparison. I had to remind myself that I’m me. The end. My story can only start when the comparison ends.
Work with what I’ve got. So I’m not sitting by the beach being awed by the wonder of God’s creation as I type these words. My kids are in and out of the room. I’m sitting at a fake wood table by the wall AC that’s blowing fast and furious. That’s ok. This is all the time I have, so I’m going to make the most of it. I have a feeling this is a message you might need to be reminded of too.
Break it down. When I’m overwhelmed, it’s easy to let my mind run crazy with ALL the things that are not happening. I find when I take the time to list down what these things are, it releases some chemical so I feel better. It puts it in perspective. It gives me a chance to see what the gaps are and what the REAL (not imagined) needs are. Breaking it down gives me the bigger picture.
Experience your moment. I must admit my temptation is to fret and stew this vacation away trying to fit work in every bit of alone spare time I can grab. Instead, I’m going to finish this post. Shoot out a few fast emails that say I will get back with them after my vacation is over next Monday. I’ll do a min-podcast tomorrow morning early before everyone is up and get it posted on Thursday, but other than that, I’m going to enjoy the rest of this vacation without regret.
There will always be more work. But I will never, ever, have another week with my sweet little chickens (as I call them) like this week. So I’m going to embrace it and enjoy it.
I have a feeling all the expectations I had for this week will be way blown away by the memories we actually make. And when I get back to the work, my hunch is that it will be with fresh eyes and a renewed spirit. Happy Summer!
Question: What part of this post do you relate to? Please let me know I’m not the only one!! 🙂
I am so with you!!! I have been waking up with anxiety about all of the things that I haven’t gotten done. THank you for the reminders Christy!