"In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it." R. Heinlein
BOY…isn't that the truth! I find being at home; it is so easy to become enthralled in "daily trivia"…What is this anyway? To me…daily trivia are those things that take our time that we think will just "take a minute"…such as…FACEBOOK, twitter, stupid random emails, worrying about things we can't change, making room for more clothes in the closet (i.e. Shopping until it bursts!), eating when I'm not even hungry…Can you relate? Is there anyone else out there who struggles with this? The first step in changing is "admitting there is a problem"…right?? I think when you are "enslaved" by something this is a dramatic change that affects your life, the lives of your kids, your relationship with your spouse and more. Are you on the computer playing games or emailing when you could be going for an after dinner walk with your hubby? The issue for me is that some of the apparently "good" things stealth their way onto your "important" and "must do lists. If you had to have an alcoholic drink in order to avoid drinking alcohol…would you do it? It doesn't make any sense, yet we still do these time-wasters every day like the rotation of the earth depends on it. Is it important to Facebook a friend on their birthday, or would it mean SO much more to snail mail them a card? They may actually get to experience your hand-writing for the first time in years. I have an excellent example in my Aunties. My Aunt Winnie died last year after 97 years on this planet. She was the one who always taped a nickel into my birthday card and NEVER forgot a birthday. In the end, I received cards that she had color copied from paintings she did at her nursing home. Is there anything more precious in my "keep it" box? Well...maybe…because she has a sister named Pearl. My Aunt Pearl is alive and well, and although stricken for years with arthritis and tremors, at 96 she still writes me letters from her home where she lives independently. YES…you heard it right...she WRITES and I love it...
The bottom line is this; we can all make even ONE clearly defined goal each day. Do you pass on dinner and throw fried frozen foods into the oven...maybe your goal will be a healthy homemade dinner for your family. Do head to your computer first thing in the morning? Maybe you can take a break from the routine of time sucking and head out the door for your workout. Random political emails can wait...DO you stay at home like me? Maybe there are things you have put off for months (even years). I have an entire closet of photos/photo books/old frames/scrapbooking cra*...I mean stuff, etc...If I worked 8 hours a day, it would take me at least 8-10 days to actually go through all of that, scan photos, take old VHS tapes to Cost Co and have them converted, etc...DO you know how good I would feel if that was all organized? Somehow, I figure out other super important things to do (ha-ha). At the first of the year, I told you to "pick a drawer" and just clean ONE. Last weekend I took a whole trunk-full of clothing and books to the church to donate and, although I could have done more, it felt great!
This is not meant as a soap box, because CTM would slip right off that and land squarely on her butt...more of an encouragement! Take the time to accomplish some goals and set your sights on higher things in your daily activities. Don't become enslaved to trivial things, but do something every day that REALLY matters...I am off to write to my Aunt Pearl while I still have that chance!
Cheers,
Coffee Talk Mom
Comments