Over the last several months I have noticed that people are getting busier. Why is that? Maybe it just seems that way because my life is such a contrast to the rest of the world, but no matter the reason, it's something that weighs heavily on the minds of most everyone I encounter. I hear words like overwhelmed, worn out, overworked, exhausted, not enough time.....etc, ending up with an, "I don't know why." It sounds as if someone has tied them up, and demanded they hand over any choice of how they spend their day. Why is there all of a sudden too many things to get done in one day?
If anything, I would think with the current economy, and people cutting back on eating out, going on vacations, and spending money on outside services instead of doing things yourself at home, that it would slow people down. However, it seems that it's the complete opposite. Again.......why is that? Now granted, because of health issues, I myself have been forced through the years to continue to slow down physically, and leading a completely different lifestyle than most who are pulled in different directions, but still it's hard for me to understand why people feel that so much has to be accomplished in one day, with no time left over to nurture themselves.
Maybe it's because I grew up in the south, where people closed their stores at noon on Wednesday afternoons, and went fishing, or sat on the front porch visiting with their neighbors with a glass of iced tea. Was that slow pace of life ingrained into me, so it's easier for me not to allow myself to get caught up in too many activities, or saying yes when I know I need to say no? Well, again, whatever the reason, it is very difficult to see so many people stressed out because they try to fit so much into one day, ending it with exhaustion instead of feeling good about having accomplished three things on their list instead of ten.
I do believe we all have the ability to make daily choices, to a degree, which includes the ability to say no. We can decide from one day to the next how much we can take on physically, emotionally, and most importantly understanding or realizing the reasons why specific things end up on our lists from day to day. Maybe things that we could really do differently, save for another day, or things that could be completely taken off the list altogether.
I also often wonder, if most of the things we put on the lists just simply reflect ways in which we can keep up with the people next door.....or really society as a whole........and I don't think we even realize it until we stop and think about how our days are filled with not only one activity to the next, but also the need to spend money. We see what other people have, and think we must have the same things, or we'll be viewed as different or outcasts. No wonder there are so many people who have exhausted their credit limit, or wondering how they will make it through this recession. Societal demands or expections as to what is normal has taken over "our lists" of what is truly important in this life.
Bottom line..... there is much to be gained from letting go of too much busy-ness in our lives. After all, a child will remember those moments when you had time for them, as opposed to how much money you had to spend, or what kind of car the family had. Being too busy causes frustration and unhappiness, which radiates outward to those around you, that love you the most......so when you think your busy-ness is just affecting you, it's more likely that it also has an impact on someone else in your life.
So try to start each day with a list, making sure you can realistically accomplish those things, paying close attention that you need to be added to the list, for time to rest, time to reflect, time to listen to and show love to those around you. You'll be able to go to sleep at night feeling good about what you were able to accomplish, feeling blessed with the strength and energy to do those things, while leaving no room for regret or "should haves" beating you down...... only a list that was short and minus the busy-ness.
