The REALity of Life

The reality of life.  I'm a mom, wife, daughter, sister, co-worker, and friend.  The reality of where our energy goes within these relationships isn't where you'd think they would be. Or where I think they would be.  It's spend in the inbetween not necessarily fully engaged in any one or all of the above listed 'titles'.  I look at them like this:

Do you see the 'ME'?  It's buried in there.  All those other roles take over and sometimes we forget who we are at the core.  Sometimes one role takes more energy and at other times another will take over.  If I had animation I would show the circles swirling around the ME.  Depending on what the demands are in our life, one role can dominate over the others.  Have you ever felt like life was like this:

This is how I've felt lately...like there is a tug of war and I'm in the middle being pulled this way and that.

If you've ever felt this way, then you know you need to do something about it.  I recently 'retired' from working. I'm only 44 so it's not a real retirement, but I became a stay at home mom.  Why didn't I do it sooner????  I was afraid.  I was afraid that I would lose something of myself - purpose, meaning, who knows.  What I realized is that I was wasting my time at work doing things that didn't really matter to me.  I thank God every day that my husband can provide for us so that I don't have to work.  Please understand, I do not look down on ANYONE who chooses to work.  Actually it's noble.  There are so many people living off the government these days that we forget you can choose to work or not.  There is something very valuable about providing for yourself.  Even if you are a two income family, it's a blessing for you both to be able to work.  

I realized, though, that I could not do it all.  I still can't, but at least this way arguements are fewer and farther apart.  We have more quality family time.  I am not so tired all the time.  I can make time to exercise, grocery shop in peace, or sit here and type away with no interruptions.  Even my dogs are happier because I have time to walk them and play with them.

This blog is directed towards those who feel buried in life.  Please know there is a way out.  It may not be the same as mine, but the main thing to remember is that you do have to let something go.  Don't try to do it all.