Long Day's Night
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| Britt Appleton |
I was going to skip a blog post tonight because of the usual excuses - work, time, sleep, sick, no food, no material. But that's a cop out.
I realize (and have blogged multiple times about this point before) that I will not ever have enough time to do all the things I want and should, all at the same time. And if I'm honest with myself and really truly feel passionately about something, I shouldn't make excuses, including that of There's Not Enough Time. To pour your heart, soul, and life into something is to put into practice just that. You should be able to see my heart, soul, and life splattered all over it. Sacrifices are and will be made and you do not feel sorry about yourself for making them. Okay, maybe you throw a pity party for a teeny tiny bit (with cake) but then you get over it. And just start doing.
I'm a reader... and a writer... and a rider. For me, those things typically take priority over personal relationships, sleep, television, health, and good judgment, to name a few things off the top of my nog. I am not going to improve at any of those things, which is important to me, if I do not practice. Practice reading, writing, and riding.
If I can't dedicate myself to something that I admit to loving and placing in the utmost position of priority, then what does that say about the effort that I put into the rest of my life - those things lower on the priority ladder? At the end of it all, this post is really for me, a reminder that the time is way past for making excuses. The time to do is now.
Yep pull the trigger.. all you have to do is jump in and water is fine.
ReplyDeleteTHIS. Yes. Spot-on, m'dear! (I make excuses like gangbusters!)
ReplyDeleteoh yeah im with you. there are times i was like, ohh im so tired...let's paint tomorrow instead but most of the time i remind myself that im running an art business and especially that im passionate about producing artwork, i just go and paint at that right moment without excuses...eventually i feel better about myself and strangely less tired...
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your feedback on my online shop blog post - appreciate it so much as it will help me shape my business and understand what everybody is looking for.
Carpe diem, sistah:) But yeah...I hear yah.
ReplyDeletesing it!
ReplyDeleteYou write lovely, so good! And I can see some
ReplyDeletesimilarities with my lifestyle right now. Xx
I read a neat trick somewhere a while back that said to replace "I don't have enough time to..." with "It's not a priority for me to..." and see how it feels. The small shift in wording makes you realize if it was a priority, you'd get it done (writing, calling my mommom more often, etc). No excuses (but sometimes you really are just too tired!). Cut yourself some slack! xo
ReplyDeleteMy morning routine includes reading all you lovely early publishers, and I so appreciate having you guys to wake up to. Today Cal announced (bleary eyed at the breakfast table) that his carpool was leaving half an hour early so our normal mad scramble was even madder and I didn't have time to compose my comment. I did have time to think about it though.
ReplyDeleteI think that you absolutely make time for the things that matter. It doesn't mean that if you take a break for a night because you're tired your writing doesn't matter, it generally just means you're tired! ;)
So yes, do and work and do, because it matters, but be gentle with yourself too. Because we all deserve some grace.
i love what erin said. i think i am going to try that myself. i won't tell you to cut yourself any slack because i trust that you will when you need to (right?!). and i get what you are saying. though the fact that you also work full-time makes all you do a conundrum for me. how many hours are in your days ruth? when are you going to tell us how you can read that many books all the time? what magic powers do you have?
ReplyDeleteokay, i am getting sidetracked. yes, i know what you mean. sometimes you just want to be committed and that's a powerful thing, and it can be powerful also when we let that commitment slip. so i know what your talking about girl. xoxo
The last paragraph -- so amazingly true!!! I like that you push through life's difficulties to continue doing what you love.
ReplyDeleteIt is true, but unfortunately there are only so many hours in a day. I wish I could make the work day shorter and my leisure time longer.
ReplyDelete...and you've been working like a dog!
ReplyDeleteThis post is inspiring...a nice reflection of rooth, It reminds me how happy I am to know you (and that Safeway sells individual pieces of cake :).
There's always so much to do and too little time! I've learnt especially now with the bub around, that I just have to bite the bullet and do what I want most to do when he is sleep. Usually it's blogging - any surprises there?!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you recently! My daughter went through a massive change of heart after her first year. She switched from School of Natural Sciences to U.T.'s Liberal Arts division. I am thrilled for her and know that she is a true liberal arts girl at heart. I have copied your blog address and sent it to her so that she can read some of the book reviews that you write up! Thanks, Roothie!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of this a lot lately . . . I tend to fail miserably at what I truly love, however. Must remedy that little situation . . .
ReplyDeleteI saw something on Pinterest that said something along the lines of "Beyonce has 24 hours in her day, just like you." Insinuating that since SHE can get a ton of crap done then everyone else should be able to also. Made me kind of mad! I mean, I highly doubt she has to go grocery shopping or puts gas in her car herself!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's hard when you have tons to do and not enough time to do it!
thanks for the reminder. NOW NOW NOW!!!
ReplyDelete:)
'Nuff said. Thanks for the kick in the pants. Now off to shorten my "priority" list to what really matters.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's sometimes hard to make the choices we should or we need to. I have been shifting my priorities and am extra tired because of it, but I think in the end it will be worth it all. I know it will be worth it for you as well.
ReplyDeleteUgh. I seriously need to talk to you about your schedule. As a result of working longish days, I've had no time to do anything... I haven't worked out in months, I leave chores for my poor boyfriend and I eat out all the time. That's not to mention my hobbies like blogging that have taken a hit. I need some way to reorganize.
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