Rushed

It seems like I am always rushing. I am late to a lot of things. My daughter has been late to preschool both days this week, but hey, at least I picked her up on time. I rushed through the mall yesterday so my kids would not have to shop too long. I have rushed through Walmart so I could pick up my daughter from preschool on time. Rush here and there to get somewhere. But why do I do this to myself! Why is it so hard to do something slowly and right the first time so I don't have to return things I did not mean to buy, or so my kids can be on time to school/church/play dates on time! It just is hard though.

It is a hard habit to break!

It seams like by Christmas break I was getting a handle on the schedule of school and things, then we had a two week break and now I am starting back at square one! Seriously why is it so hard to wake up early when you don't have to be somewhere for a few weeks. Why is it so hard to get out of the house when you don't have anything planned. Seriously. It has thrown me off. Now I am at a new normal as well. I have new church responsibilities that have thrown my brain and focus on the fritz. Why do I do this to myself. I will never get more time, I just have to make something of the time I have. I have to set a new routine and stick to it!

Here is to getting back on track with the new year! Here is to new routines and time management! Good luck on your quest as it is surly a quest for me!

It is time.

The Lion King is in my top 3 Disney movies, and this at the end is a big reason. The most important part of this clip is when Simba embraces Rafiki, and his baboon friend simply says, "It is time." Then Simba takes his rightful place as King and Pride Rock returns to its former glory.

Lately I've been thinking "it is time" for me to take a more active role in my life.

Sometimes I feel like an observer of life rather than a participant. It is time to wake up!

I tend to overachieve in some areas and neglect others, so it is time to find balance.

It is time to follow through. So many times I find myself saying to myself, "Someday I'd like to ..." or "I wish I could make ______ happen." What am I waiting for?

I don't think it's overly prideful to say I think I'm destined for great things. We should all think that. It is time to be a DOER.

The fact that I've been thinking this for months reassures me that this isn't a fleeting resolution whose fire will diminish to a weak flicker in a matter of weeks. It will take small steps, no doubt. But what I know is that IT IS TIME for my ambition to catch up with my dreams.

What is it time for you to do?

It's About Time

Did you ever think about all the time you either save or waste in a day? And if you're saving it ... where, exactly, do you store it? That's the basic plot-launcher of Michale Ende's novel Momo, wherein the Men in Grey, cloaking themselves as representatives of the Timesavings Bank will happily store up that extra time you've been saving, for future use. Except that of course they're actually just stealing it for their own nefarious purposes. Enter Momo! A little girl of uncertain origin, who has this remarkable ability to just ... listen ...

It's been years since I read this book, but I love it. I love the premise ... I mean, really, saving time? What a ridiculous idea! This book was an awesome reminder that time is meant to be used - to the fullest! It was an eye-opener to the fact that despite modern "time-saving" methods and devices, we don't really have the power to actually save time - we only have the power to choose how we will spend it.

And I do believe I'll be spending some time soon reading this book again.

Time

It's 2011 and a brand new year.  A year that brings hope and excitement.  A year that holds many experiences to be had and an entire calendar, empty, fresh and ready to fill with memories.  A year that could possibly be the best one yet.  Or it could be a year that will challenge us the most.  A white and clean and perfect moment to start over or continue doing good.  I love myself a new year.

Last year, 2010, was a rush for me and for my family.  Looking back at my planner and my old calendar I am amazed at all that happened and how my days were filled to the brim with both the things I loved and the things I had to get done.  I will admit, by my own fault, that I was an overbooked mother who only wished for more time in her day.  I know I did my best then and that learning from my mistakes is better then regretting or being disappointed in myself so I always hope to do better with how I use my time.  Who doesn't?

I did not play with my kids as much as I should have.  I did not spend as many minutes as I wanted with my husband.  I was on the computer too much.  I said yes to everyone including my own exaggerated expectations of myself and found each day, every day, to be kinda stressful.  I was killing myself by trying to be everything to everyone and here I sit now...puzzled by my behavior.  How come I didn't just say no? Instead of beating myself up about it all I am excited to try again.  I think I'll always wrestle with time but I hope each year brings a new understanding of how to manage it and how to prioritize. 

I know mistakes are what make us grow the most that is why my new years resolution this year is to relax and let time just be what it is.  I'm going to use it but not fill it.  I am going to remember more about 2011 then just being incredibly busy.  My hope is that by doing this and by finding time to just be still I will find a better me.  A mom who knows how to make time for her kids even on a busy day.  A homemaker who finds joy in cooking and keeping a beautiful home.  I am going to be healthier, happier and hopefully more stress free.    I will still be me and probably overdo it every once in a while but I am going to try harder to focus on relationships more then things.  Check up on me and keep me here...in this moment of brand new hope. 

Happy New Year!!!