Croce -vs- Nike

There never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do

Once you find them

Really? Do you buy that? I used to agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment, until a freak accident in January changed my perspective on life. It has been stated many times before that people are “creatures of habit.” We have our daily routines, for the most part, especially if you work a steady job or have children who attend school. Think about your own life. Do you get up the same time everyday, go to work/come home/eat dinner/go to bed the same time everyday? If you are nodding your head, than the Jim Croce lyrics ring true to your life.

In order to “…do the things you want to do once you find them,” well, you need to change your life around.

Wait! Don’t panic! Change is good. Really. Lets look at the process in steps.

1] Find “what you want to do.” OK, with me it was getting back to “creating.” I love sewing, beading, writing, gardening and goofing off in the kitchen. I didn’t seem to have enough time to do all of this. I was wrong. See step #2.

2] Prioritize your life. There are some things we have to honor, such as our jobs and our families. So, on your list of important things, going to work is #1 on the schedule (just so you can pay for everything else). Now, what part of “family” is most important? Some people are lucky enough to have the big dinner together to chat about life. Others are so programmed with activities that family time might be more meaningful later in the evening, such as cuddling while reading or watching a TV program. So, what about the other few hours between work and family time? Can you get away for an hour a couple times a week to do something for yourself? When I was young, my mom used to go to a diner to write, and she now has an impressive amount of published books to her name - Susan Sussman, look her up! She was later able to vacate the corner booth and get an office, but she had to start somewhere…see step #3.

3] Just do it. Nike made that a catch phrase, but it is true. Take it from a woman I love and admire, Pat. She worked 2 jobs, cleaned and cooked for the cousins who housed her in the states, and earned enough to bring her 7 children to the USA from the Philippines. I asked her how she did all of that. She replied in a very matter of fact tone, “Oh, you just do it.” Her children honor her efforts by being equally hard workers, including a Pediatric Cardiologist, a nurse, accountants, a truck driver and loving parents to their own children.

I find myself breaking the day down into hourly chunks. One hour for cooking, one for sewing, etc. I spend time with my hubby and kids, but I also make sure to spend time doing the things I want to do, with or without them. It took a seemingly innocuous injury to help me get started. For months I physically could not do anything, so I had plenty of time to think about all the things I would do if I could. Now I am active and making sure I fulfill my dreams and enjoy my accomplishments. Steps 1, 2 and 3. Take my advice, and just get started. Go for it. Change your day around to include time to do something else in this short time we have in life. And enjoy yourself!

“Do the things you want to do once you find them.”

--Jim Croce out of context, but totally spot on!

The Next Phase

"Sitting down is unproductive."

My grandpa used to say that, but it wasn't until I was out of college that I really understood what Papa Sy meant. In our younger years we are content to sit and be passive as life whizzes by. As parents of young children, there is no time to sit.

But I have entered the next phase of life. Now I feel as though the world (or my heart) will stop if I am not in motion. As my children grow and need me less, I find myself filling time with new endeavors. Every week you can see new postings on my ETSY shop (http://RogueCreations.etsy.com) as I complete more sewing and beading projects. I manage twitter accounts for myself (http://twitter.com/RogueOne) as well as for my family's corporation and a non-profit charity I help (more on them in a later post). Weekends are dedicated to baking, roasting, crafting, reading, gardening and family time.

I know I am not alone. You are most likely a kindred spirit. You have come to a point in your life where you feel compelled to "find yourself" again - reclaim a lost piece of your spirit or identity that has been overshadowed by your need to put everyone else first. Do you have a blog? Are you Tweeting on Twitter? How many things have you sold on-line or at craft shows and art fairs? Are you shaking and shimmying at Zumba class and bellydance parties because this is the stuff that gladdens your heart? How old are you (and do you feel younger now than you did a few years ago?). Happy are those who Facebook with school chums, giggling at their posts, and remembering why these people were so important! Hazzah!

Join me as I embark on a new voyage. I encourage you to post your thoughts and links below so we can collectively reach out to each other in this on-line community.