Most of this first week has been spent doing some of the things I put off until I had my Sabbatical… Although, I am beginning to think I was optimistic about how long a month really is.
I had to get car/motorcycle/trailers inspected and registered on Wednesday and Thursday. I live in Tuscola. This took most of those two days. (I think I may have a ‘municipal gridlock’ theme going here)
Additionally, end of year school stuff and Rylee’s theater and dance rehearsals has us running all over town constantly. Add clearing out the garage, cutting the grass, getting groceries… Sometimes I think I could make a full time job out of just the stuff I do in addition to work.
Lisa and I were both starting to become scared and frustrated as we watched this first week vanish instantly before our very eyes.
But then I realized something… Things were a little different. I had slept. I don’t usually do much of that, but I was at least getting some rest. And sure, I was crazy-busy running all of these errands and shuttling our daughter all over creation, but at least I could. I actually had the time. Just like participating in jury duty, I had the time to do the things I needed to do – without taking away from something else.
I believe that much of the stress that we feel is exponentially compounded by how it affects our other stressors. For example, going to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist causes me some degree of stress. Having to do it during business hours (because that’s when the dentist’s office is open) tends to compound that stress – exponentially. Having an unexpected volleyball game, and a client with an issue that needs my attention – even further compounded…. You get the idea.
All of that to say that I am finding peace in having the ability to be intentional and to be present while performing the tasks at hand. I am trying to avoid my natural behavior of trying to be more than one place at a time… trying.
I am hopeful that this will of use to me as I prepare for a very long week of work for my service project.