I'm always busy, but nothing much gets done!
I decided to finally clean out the shed in our back yard
recently. My wife left the house early on a Saturday morning to
run some errands and I knew that my cleaning the shed would
please her greatly.
On the way out the door to fulfill my noble task, I take a quick
look at the morning mail and notice a past due bill so I run
upstairs to write a check.
Upon reaching for the checkbook, I see there is only one check
left, so I call my mom in Georgia and ask her to send me more.
My mom tells me my uncle Fred is not doing well, and she makes
me promise to give him a call, so I ring him as soon as I get
off the phone with her.
He's happy to hear my voice, and reminds me that I still haven't
sent any recent family pictures. When I get off the phone, I run
downstairs, get the pictures, run back upstairs, and put them in
an envelope.
I wake my computer up to get my uncle's address, and the phone
rings. My neighbor's on the line asking me if I can move our
bicycles so he can get a delivery. As I move our bikes I see
another neighbor taking out their garbage, and realize I need to
quickly do the same.
I run in for the garbage and the phone rings again. This time
it's my daughter's piano teacher explaining the upcoming monthly
teaching schedule.
Needless to say, by the time I get off the phone, I wind up just
missing the garbage truck, and I slink back to the house knowing
my wife won't be pleased having to keep the garbage for another
two days.
At this point in time I realize that I need to establish my
priorities and stick to them, or the day is really going to spin
out of control.
I sit down to sort myself out, and after a bit of time spent
thinking, my wife comes back home and cheerfully asks me what I
have accomplished so far today.
Upon hearing her question I suddenly feel the beginning of a
panic attack coming on. I missed getting the garbage out in
time, I still haven't written the check for the overdue bill, I
haven't yet addressed the envelope with the pictures for my
uncle, and of course I have yet to begin cleaning the shed.
Soon the day will be half over, and not only am I not making
headway, but I am losing ground!
Recognizing the emotional pain, I am in my daughter pulls me
over to sit on the couch and climbs up on my lap. "Daddy," she
says, "Why don't you do what you told me to do the other day
when I was upset? " "Take three deep breaths..." "Look around
you and notice that indeed the world is NOT falling apart..."
"And give thanks for all that you have, and all of the people
who love you!"
Better advice has never been given.
When you find your life spinning out of control, take the time
to breathe and feel into the emotional experience you are
creating. Regardless of the task at hand, if you maintain a
clear concept of who you are and what you are wanting to
accomplish, you can stay on track and feel OK with all that
transpires.