The merry-go-round is the perfect analogy for my life right now - constant motion but somehow never seeming to move forward; just around and around until you are happy but dizzy as hell.
I like my life, but the feeling of always being in perpetual motion, always rushing to be somewhere, always arriving late for something, can start to suck the joy out of whatever it is that we're trying to achieve. Which I often forget what exactly that is. Oh yeah, balance. Keeping our kids active and engaged, and ourselves the same. It's just that in my pursuit of this intangible, nebulous nervana we call balance, I always feel like I'm the kid at the top of the see-saw, legs flailing, looking at the happy, grounded kid sitting on the other end, you know...in the grass that is much greener than on my side. Does this sound at all familiar? (please be nodding your head)
I know the grass is always greener because I've done it both ways. I've tried to slow my life down by staying at home with my kids some years ago, I've tried to take the time Oprah suggests by writing in a journal (that lasted 2 days) and frankly, it really didn't make me feel any happier. I'm happy now, right here in my life. Crazed as I am. Psychotic as I often feel. I've come to realize, and it's taken me way too many years, that I thrive on this chaos so I might as well get used to it.In fact, I have to run along because it's time to go do the work I get paid for. Wish I could travel by private jet like those poor struggling car giants. Must be a real hardship to beg for those billions.
Have a great Thursday everyone.
Hey Tabby - I often wonder what life will be like when I don't have to cart four kids back and forth to school/hockey/gymnastics/playdates/etc.....I can't imagine a day not filled with at least 100 miles put on my car.....is there such a life? I seem to thrive on chaos....and seem to breed it too......
ReplyDeleteBut what do people do to stay sane? No matter how many times I try to slow down, there is always something that needs to be done, someone who needs a ride somewhere, an errand that has to get done, groceries, bills, fa la la la la...
ReplyDeleteI want to hear from other people on strategies that help you at least FEEL more relaxed - even if we are just in a crazy busy part of our parenting lives.
Anybody...?
drink....drink heavily.......that's what we do to remain sane.....
ReplyDeleteand depend on friends who are going through exactly the same thing as us.....
ReplyDeleteIt's not a merry-go-round, it's a roller coaster. The merry-go-round goes around in a circle. But the roller coaster has its ups and downs, but it still goes in just [a bigger] circle. You can try to maintain balance, but you'll undoubtedly fail, at least some of the time. The roller coaster may have some level spots, but it'll always goes up, and come down, again. The secret is to enjoy the ride for what it is. If you have someone to enjoy the ride with you, you've got it beat ... it's just a matter of changing your perspective.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen the Steve Martin movie, "Parenthood?" If not, and maybe even if so, take a look at this, http://tinyurl.com/58mwk4 and then this, http://tinyurl.com/5kyojm
And don't forget what John Lennon said ... "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Dear Miz Tabby - have a wonderful thankgiving - so jealous of you skipping out on family obligations - you are my hero!!!! gonna try that next year!!
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