"Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." Dolly Parton said it best y'all. We are all busy. It is so easy to get caught up in 'task mode' that we forget to enjoy the life we have. I am guilty of this too y'all. I spent several years thinking that checking tasks off was an accomplishment. One day I realized how much I missed out on in that process. I missed connecting with people. I never saw the beauty in the mundane. I rushed passed the small moments because "I didn't have time". I wanted to get to the end of my list but I never stopped to see that it was truly leading nowhere.
You might be wondering what all this has to do with juggling responsibilities, let me try to explain. After many failures I finally realized that the stress I was feeling to "get it all done" truly was in vain. I had to shift my focus. I had to focus on what is important to me and then it all made sense. I have tried so many methods of planning my week but without fail, something changes my plans. It could be a friend in need, an animal in need, a change in the weather, or simply needed time to breathe. Don't underestimate that last one y'all. Taking time to breathe and reset is so vitally important.
In the inevitable change of plans I would get upset, feel like I failed. But did I? I don't think so, at least not now looking back on those moments. My goal with this farm, this blog, and my life has always been to help people. That is the whole reason I became a nurse. Although I am not working at the bedside anymore, I still desire to help others. I just do it in a different fashion now. My 9-5 job is working as a Clinical IT Analyst. Which basically means I am a nerdy nurse and help clinicians by improving their workflows and processes. I help them so they can help y'all. When I am not working... I am working. Farm life is never ending y'all.
I don't know how many times people have said to me, "I don't know how you do it all". Honestly we don't. We don't get everything done all the time. We do what we can with the time we have. Y'all know that. That is why I didn't get a blog post out last week. Saturday was full of friends and celebrating our freedom. I wasn't going to steal that time from them. That is also why I changed my blog day to Saturday. I needed a mental break between work and blogging. That is what juggling responsibilities looks like for me. It's ok not to do it all. It's ok to take a break. It's ok to change our routines or priorities. Getting to this point takes patience and lots of grace for yourself.
This brings me back to the statement I made about taking time to breathe. Juggling responsibilities of any kind is exhausting. You will find yourself worn out and empty if you don't prioritize time to breathe. That may look different for each of us. How do you refuel? For me it just depends on the day honestly. Sometimes it looks like going downtown and seeing my favorite people. Other days it is just sitting in the rocking chair and watching the farm. These moments help me reset. God meets me in these moments. Whispers encouragement. Fills me with joy and peace. These are the moments God brings some of the best lessons. The stillness.
Martin Uzochukwu Ugwu once said, "It takes balanced life and a firm trust in God to ride the waves of life". This is it y'all. This is how I juggle life, work, farm, and all the things. Trusting God. Taking time to breath. Adjusting priorities. Focusing on what truly matters.
What should I blog about next week?
Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Farm
Farm Resources & Where to Find Them
How can I pray for you this week?
Please leave a comment below
Comments