Istink at finding balance in my life. If it were dressed as a giant, hot-pink giraffe I’d stumble over it, pick myself up and keep looking. There are a few things I’ve built into my life to help me spot the hot-pink giraffe. My husband and I strive to leave the country at least once a year. There’s something magical that happens to us as individuals and as a team when we’re out of our everyday routine. Another is books. When I can get my hands on a good book I know I’ll have a good pull away from all things electronic. Lastly, I will drop everything for good quality time with a human I love. But, apart from these larger scale things I easily let my days fill up with me and then a bit of me, work, me and some more of me.
It’s not that I’m a selfish person (I’d like to think), I just have a million things – so it always seems – to get done. Yes, I think of you, I care for you and love you, but I have emails piling up and a business to run, groceries to be bought, a dog to walk, a husband to love, a social life to feed. There’s only so much time in the day and I’m only ONE person. (And, this is all without children! Lord help me.)
I can’t quite remember if it was when we were strolling through the streets of Sevilla, touring the Alhambra in Granada or driving up the coast to Barcelona, but somewhere in the midst of our time in Spain a starving portion of my brain took one last breath in and yelled as loud as it could:
“I’M DYING HERE!!! GIVE ME SOMETHING OTHER THAN YOU!”
Oh my gosh, where did that come from?! I started to refute it in defense, but it didn’t take long for me to realize just how true it was. I need you and you and you, too. I need anything other than myself to fill up portions of my everydays. I used to know that. Sad how busy schedules always push out others first.
Being the practical, structured, overly-organized girl that I am I knew that I was going to have to be quite intentional about this. And, so I thought I’d share with you what I’ve decided to do myself. I hope it will inspire you to be intentional in your thoughtfulness, too.
It’s a document. I needed something I could write on and also something I could check off when it was completed (I know … another to-do list, but there is something so wonderful about one that only involves making others happy). On the document is room to brainstorm ways to be thoughtful for others. This can be anything … *call Lisa, *Uncle Joe’s birthday – send card, *Emily is sick – drop off a favorite book & movie, *Beth & Taylor’s anniversary – drop off a bottle of wine, *husband stressed about work, make dinner reservations at his favorite restaurant …. etc, etc, etc. The options are endless!
For some of us we will have time to fill this out once a week, for others it might be once a month – no matter when or how often you do it, you will be making time for others and what a wonderful thing that is.
So, enjoy … click the document, download and start brainstorming thoughtful ways to love others. You know as well as I do that you will be the one who benefits the most.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article– I can really relate at times :) I remember a while back I made a list of 30 little things I could for my husband that would show him I cared. Just a big brainstorm list of mainly small things that he may not even necessarily notice but my goal was every day for a month I’d choose one and check it off. What I was MOST amazed at was how much it filled ME up! One of the happiest months we had had in a while at that point!
I have been struggling with the same thing lately. With my photography business and the very active role my family plays in our church, it is very hard to find a balance. It is great to know that I am not the only one struggling.
I absolutely LOVE this document. I am a “lister” too. There is just something about writing or checking something off a list that feels so empowering , even admist this awesome technology at our fingertips. Though our family budget is very limited ( as are many of us)…I think THIS ” to-do” list will be easy to maintain! Thanks for sharing, Jessica!
Bravo, Jessica! What a great idea . . . I just love it!
Thanks Jessica! I need to be remind me to slow down and remember those around me…
This is terrific! Not a to do list that you have to do, but that you want to do!
@Lisa … what a GREAT idea! I think I will have to steal it from you!
Really lovely article…Congrats! I read it and it’s actually inspired me with a solution to the opposite problem (ironically). I’m one of those people who tends to have a super long list of things to do in order to care for and support all the people in my life, and only until my brain and body start screaming for some ME time do I ever take the time to stop… I think I will use your list to brainstorm some thoughtfulness for little ole me.
Thank you so much for your fantastic lists :)
Love this!! It’s like you took the words out of my mouth!!
Oh I’ve so been looking forward to reading this today – I love the DL and adore that you’ve shared your heart. Though my to-do list is LONG, my friends and loved ones must always know they come ahead of any list. I’m so excited to fill this baby out!
I love this post!!