So. Last night. I’m on my way to book club, walking the quarter mile from my house to a local restaurant. It’s almost seven, right when we’re supposed to start, and I’m trying to get there by the skin of my teeth. Come to think of it, I’m trying to do everything by the skin of my teeth lately. I barely make it to school each morning by the regular hour, despite having my bags packed and my clothes set out. I race to get to bed at a decent hour, wondering where the time has gone. I’m making to-do lists early and often, only to get very little of it done.
7:00 hits. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I take a peek, and there’s a reminder for me:
Remember
Oh. Yes. That. Last week, I set an intention with “remember” as my One Little Word. I even set a weekly reminder for it on my phone. And I have to say, the message comes through loud and clear. It’s time for me to remember…
- I might be overwhelmed, but I’m not alone.
- My energy and motivation always go through ebbs and flows, and it’s wise to follow their patterns.
- I don’t like being patient with myself, but it sure does help matters.
- I may feel like I’m swimming through Jell-O, but I’m doing what I can, when I can, how I can.
With that in mind, I’ll set my writing aside for tonight. I’ll play a word game or two. I’ll have myself a little old bedtime snack. I’ll hunker down with a book until my eyes droop. And tomorrow, I hope that same grace comes along with me.
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
Sometimes you just have to cut yourself a bit of slack. I understand getting somewhere just by the skin of my teeth because I also do that quite often. I guess that’s just life.
Thanks. Yes, LOTS of slack. And yes, I agree with you…it is just life, which my brain usually understands. But my heart (ego? sense of pride?) have a trickier time believing it.
Definitely give yourself grace. So much going on … I think we have to give ourselves grace! And look — you wrote a slice which is always a good thing to remember.
Thanks, Ona. I’d agree that grace is a GOOD thing to give myself right now, especially since it seems that everyone around me seems to be of the same mindset. So I’m not alone, I guess…
That’s really a neat idea to send a message to yourself a week or two out. I know I’d forget I even drafted the message until it miraculously popped up on my phone. Life is hectic, but every now and then, take a little bit of time just for yourself.
Thanks, Debbie. Yes, my phone is a lifesaver when it comes to reminders. I don’t know where I’d be without being able to just say things in to my phone like, “at 7 am, remind me to take my lunch out of the fridge,” or “when I get home, remind me to start the laundry.”
Definitely keeps me afloat!