Not so long ago I sat at my desk every morning, reeling from the myriad list of To-Do's ~ RIGHT NOW! sitting before me. I had a routine. First I'd prioritize them in order, and then I'd optimistically coach myself. Today's the day. You're going to get every one of these accomplished. Check, check, check... I'd imagine.
Then the first polite tap on would come. "You got a minute?" the visitor would ask. Of course I did. I wanted teachers, parents, kids - whomever - to feel they could come to me for any thing at any time. Accessible, fair, making things better - that's what I wanted to stand for. So we'd sit, we'd chat, and inevitably by the end, yet another task would be added to the list.
There'd be at least a dozen or more of those "got a minute?" moments throughout the day - in the halls, while visiting classrooms, prepping for meetings. I was stressed, and sometimes overwhelmed. I prayed for the day to just not have to think anymore.
That glorious day finally came. The first two years were miraculous. Healing, actually. I got to simply listen and watch life going on around me. The birds, the monkeys, the surf. The peace.
Then like a stew slowly bubbling up to a full boil, the old me began to return. Little pangs of boredom taunted me. Oh for God's sake, will you ever be happy? I thought. I tried to push them back down, beat them into submission. But there it was. I'm a thinker, a do-er, an accomplish-er at heart. And damned if I'll ever be able to forget it.
A laid-back life may be nice, I'm learning, but too laid-back can be just as unhealthy. As friends pointed out today, not having enough to keep my mind busy could also be contributing to this brain fog I've got going. I used to hold thousands of details in my head (or at least write them down). Now few demands are placed on it. So between menopause and retire-pause, I guess it's time find a happy medium before I'm truly mush.
How about you? Too stressed? Too relaxed?
Where does your life fall on the continuum right now?
And what is best for YOU?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
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About Me
- Trish
- Costa Rica
- 50's and Fabulous - that's the way it's supposed to be, right? I have to admit, being here is not such a bad deal. A few years ago we sold the farm (literally) and moved to the jungle. Who knew that I'd be spending life with monkeys, scarlet macaws and sloths? It's actually pretty awesome, though I have learned that no Paradise is perfect. I'll tell you more about that sometime... But for now, come share all the savvy and sparkle we've grown into over the years. Speak your heart, tell your stories. Here's to us ~ Cheers!
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