What to Do When You're Tired

This morning my energy level is low. Really low. I had a good night's sleep last night, but today I just feel like doing nothing. (Those of you who are mothers will appreciate just how much "nothing" I'll get done today!)

For an accomplishment-oriented person like myself, doing "nothing" is sometimes more of a challenge than getting the next item on my "to-do" list crossed off. I have this sense that I shouldn't rest until that "to-do" list is empty.

Ever notice how unrealistic those little voices in our souls are? You know, the ones that play the messages which have been influencing your life from as far back as you can remember. I don't know about you, but the little voices in my world have two main subjects--my flaws, and all the things I should be doing other than simply enjoying life.

For today, I have a new kind of goal. #1 - I'm going to finish reading Coffee Rings by Yvonne Lehmann. It's a wonderful story of three friends bound by a secret. Last night I found out what the secret was. Today, I'm going to find out what they do with it now.

#2 - I'm going to spend some time in my children's world. I might build with Lego, or I might watch Springtime with Roo.

Life's not worth much if we don't enjoy it.

Taking Life too Seriously

I just had a wonderful wake-up call.

For the past 10 days, I've been "head-down-full-steam-ahead-don't-pause-for-anything" in getting my house unpacked and organized. To say that organization is an obsession with me is not overstating the case at all. Problem is, I'm a perfectionist. Thus, I'm never as organized as I think I should be. In fact, I often feel like I'm failing in my goal to keep my life together.

Then I read something by author Cyndy Salzmann who suggested we "take encouragement about the laundry pile from Genesis 2:20, 'They were naked and not ashamed.'" I laughed out loud, and will continue chuckling all day. Particularly since I've been doing laundry for three days now, in and around meals, unpacking, excursions with my children, etc.

My lesson for the day?

I've become so absorbed in the details of my life, I've been forgetting to live. I've been getting lots done, but I haven't been enjoying being alive.

Sometimes our circumstances are plain old not fun. But there should still be moments of joy, moments where I let go of my to-do list and my perfectionism, and just appreciate the little things.

Like the fact I don't have to be naked.

Check out Cyndy's website at www.realandsimple.com.