Last week my husband Warryn asked me, “Can you fully pay attention to anything?” After getting an attitude, I realized I was supposed to be sitting, watching a tv show with him. And was, but I was also answering emails, and getting up, periodically, to do little chores around the house. I definitely WAS NOT giving my man my undivided attention.
I guess I am a multi-tasker, which is great in some respects! I can really get things done. I can cook dinner, while listening to a new CD, randomly pick up my trusty blackberry and answer a business email or 2, and send a message to twitter and facebook at the same time; just doing
way too much!
Hey it’s not our fault people. Today’s world calls for us to do it all at once, you know, give a little attention to everything! But is that fair to anyone?? We’re in a race with ourselves to prove we have it all together. Sometimes the people we love expect us to run our world and theirs and still have time to relax. It’s impossible!
What I’m learning is, relaxing is a learned behavior. You have to teach yourself to say no sometimes. We can’t be the breadwinner, the housekeeper, the home accountant, and the transportation, the healthy workout Guru, the family doctor, the prayer warrior, the chef, the hospitality board (for your guest), the socialite, the party planner, remembering to always send thank you’s and never forgetting anyone’s birthday, and if your married — the sex kitten!! We’re all suffering from multiple personalities!
One things for sure this problem won’t get fixed overnight. We have to remember to take one day at time, and know that God never wanted us to do it all alone. Where to start you ask? You can start with the serenity prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Then, you can begin writing down what you can, realistically, get done in a day. Plan time for yourself. If you’re never rested or recharged, you’ll burn out FAST. We could still, probably, do everything under this condition, but it’s hard to do it well, when you’re burnt out.
Be fully present when your with your family. If your on a date turn your phone off. If you’re driving, turn it off, too (didn’t you hear Oprah!). Get off the phone or the computer and play with your kids. Look in the eyes of the people you’re speaking to; actually listen when someone’s talking to you rather than pondering random thoughts or contemplating your reply. Take moments in, so you remember where you’ve been and what you’ve done in your life. Enjoy life one moment at a time.
We do have to be super woman at times, but not everyday, not all the time. So slow down. Take life in. Do what you can. Don’t worry about what you can’t. Give the stress and worry to God… “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-