Quick Poll

Is Memorial Day an 'off day' for you or a 'work day' with your business open?

Recent Polls

Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Deberah Williams

Everyday Finesse

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Sunday, November 06, 2011 in Opinion

Blips on my screen

Whether it is forgotten dates or overlooked thank you notes, there are blips on my radar and I'm dropping the ball again.

I seem to do this on a regular basis.

By choice I am ridiculously busy. My days are filled with duties or plans or a dream of my next endeavor, so completing anything is usually met with a time crunch. I realized this years ago when I had overstretched my boundaries and committed to too many kid-related tasks.

Sure, I'd sew for the school play. Snacks for the ball team? No problem. Chaperone a Boy Scout camp out? Well, why not? Teach my daughter's Sunday school class? What else am I here for?

It was when I delivered snacks to the Sunday school and costumes for the ball team when I realized I needed to start backing off. So I began to say no. And miraculously, those things still got done.

When it was time to sign up to teach another Sunday School class I took a great look at myself and realized the dutiful part of my cup was indeed flowing over but the spiritual part of me was lacking. How could I be prayerful and a good leader when I barked orders to my family, just moments before leaving the driveway for church?

The last time I plowed ahead before spreading myself so thin was in my 40's and when this overachiever hit the age of 50, all my reserve seemed to go out the door. Today I won't hesitate to tell my younger fellow overachievers how I left work one day about eight years ago, got into the car and started crying. I cried all the way home. I cried throughout the evening and only when he realized I couldn't stop did my husband put me in a hot tub bath. I spent the rest of the day in bed.

On day 2 of my personal meltdown, I sent e-mails to a few zillion folks who were expecting me to do this or that. I expressed my regret in having to step away from the commitment and ended my short e-mail with the hope that they would be able to find someone else to take the reins.

It was no surprise that they were able to fill my spot and life continued on.

Now that I'm older I don't stretch myself out so thin. And just this past week I realized that there are too many blips on my screen. Too many balls in the air. Too much to do, too little time.

Having gained some wisdom from experience, I approach this part of life differently. I don't feel like I have to say yes every time I am asked to do something and often just say from the start that I cannot commit. People understand, others are asked and thankfully, since my circles of friends aren't surgeons, nobody dies.

Just last week there was a need for someone to provide dessert for a family in our church. I said I would be happy to but it might be store bought. The caller said that would be just fine. In that short conversation I committed to doing something I really wanted to do -- help with the meal -- and by preempting my task for store bought, I left some wiggle room in case I was too busy.

Finally there were only two days left before I had to fulfill my commitment. I truly wanted something special for the family so I did what I do best these days; I called my neighbor who bakes as her home-based business. A fresh baked Coca-Cola cake was delivered to my doorstep the very next day.

I have one important task to complete before I am stepping back again. My screen is blipping. The balls are starting to drop, and I see it clearly these days; it's time to say no again.

And I'm going to have to keep saying no for quite a while. Grand babe number three is on the way. I already know I want plenty of open spots on my calendar.

•••

(Kathy Bohannon is a Georgia Press Association award winner and regular contributor to the Newnan Times-Herald. Kathy can be reached at kathybohan@yahoo.com .)

Comment On This Story

Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.

Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.