Gratitude 04.05.2010
Today I am grateful for the light at the end of the tunnel. When you’re up to your neck in work and stress, knowing that there is an end in site can keep you forging ahead and fairly sane.
Today starts the beginning of a very busy week and month at work. It’s paralyzingly just thinking about how hectic April can be. To keep myself from being suffocated and consumed by everything that I need to accomplish in the month, week, day or even hour, I keep my focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.
“When April is over, I will have the summer months to look forward to.”
“There are only two more days left in this week then I will have Sunday to go to church and relax.”
“As soon as dinner is served I can go home and watch my favorite TV show.”
“I only have one more hour worth of information to get into the computer; when it’s all in, it will be time to eat lunch.”
I prefer not to wish my life away, but sometimes looking forward to the end (and giving myself small rewards like a second dessert) gives me the motivation to keep going and to do a good job.
I am grateful that there is always a light insight. Knowing that the tunnel can be only so long gives me permission to breathe and relax. I am thankful that April too shall pass, and at the end of that long tunnel, lies May.
Prev Post -> Liver 4 Lightner – Round Two
I always stop myself when I realize I’m having those “wishing my life away” thoughts and realize that I need to live in the here and now because all too soon it will be gone. Watching a child — your own child, for that matter — grow up really makes that concept of time flying more fluid, more realistic. That baby that I wanted to push out so desperately, the one that had me feeling large and miserable during the summer months? He’s 5 months old now — and summer’s practically starting here in Florida. Oh, how I did not miss the air conditioner. But yes, I can definitely appreciate that “light at the end of the tunnel,” too.
When I have grinding tasks to be done I try to incorporate something special to make them easier to bear. For instance, I like Metallica’s music but I’m too old to bang my head to it and Larry hates it. So, I play it loud when I’m house cleaning and need to be moving around quickly. It keeps me energized and Larry out from under foot. I don’t like to cook everyday so I’ll take a day every once in awhile and make an unholy mess in the kitchen preparing lots of meals ahead of time to pop in the freezer knowing it will save me countless hours in the coming weeks. I end up enjoying the day because I’m busy getting creative with food and happy to know I won’t have to do it again for awhile. Sometimes, I just remind myself to be grateful I have a home, even if it needs to be cleaned. Food to eat even though I have to cook. Nice clothes even though I have piles of laundry. It helps me enjoy the present much more even if the present is all about chores. If you find yourself wishing away the week for Sunday to come, wish instead it was LAST Sunday!
Thanks for the insights. On our trip this week I tried to live in the moment and trust Chris, my husband, and the Lord for the future. When we got stuck on a mountain in a spring snowstorm as we were trying to get to our daughter’s wedding reception, I tried to be grateful that we were at the right place at the right time to pick up a family whose car had rolled (no one hurt, another thing to be grateful for). And the next day we made it to the reception with 3 hours to spare…shower and change.
Chris was doing most of the driving so I tried to let him make most of the travel decisions. I gave input and left it up to him. It worked out so much better, with no contention. I think he felt safe to follow the Lord’s inspiration and make better decisions. I was able to capture the extra moments that we had with friends and trust that the storm would pass and we would be safe and eventually home. And we were and are.
I’m bad at wishing my life away during deployments. It’s funny how I want time to pass but I don’t want my kiddos to grow up. Guess I can’t have my cake and eat it too.
btw… check out my blog for an award!
I would wish it away if my husband were deployed. I can’t imagine. I don’t handle things gracefully when my husband is on a business trip for 2 days!
The way I look at work is one day at a time. I try not to look at the piles of paperwork that I need to quality check that week, the amount of work items placed in my work site that are deadlined that Friday, or think about the 10 (very boring) conference calls or meetings that I have that week. All I think about at work when getting something accomplished is when I’m done, i get to go home and see the little boy who is the reason I am working so hard.
Stay positive Nee!