Are you tired from celebrating the holidays with family and friends, like me? Did you and your loved ones catch that extra gift of colds and/or flu like I did? Have you spent time reflecting on last year and setting goals for this one, requiring new routines?
My goal for 2017 is to create margin. It’s impossible to start a new routine when we’re still working on stuff from 2015, though. But, is it any wonder? I got to thinking about what all the professionals recommend we do in a day, then thought about what else we have to do, then cracked up laughing.
Just take a look with me at what living includes. I hope you see it through my warped sense of humor. It’s no wonder we’re tired, overwhelmed, and can’t find margin.
Here is the list, do you think anyone can accomplish everything on the list. Seriously?
* Read your Bible, a devotion, pray, memorize a verse or two, and worship the Lord in song every day
* attend all church services and revivals, as well as volunteer for the extracurricular church activities
* Exercise at least 15 min. a day, whether walking on a treadmill, going to the club, taking a class, or doing a video. If not, make sure you exercise to stay healthy at least 2-3 times a week.
* experts state meditation and relaxation helps memory, reduce pain, and gets rid of anxiety. Depending on the expert, you should meditate or do some form of relaxation 30 min. daily in 1-2 settings. Your mental health, emotions, and physical aches are counting on it.
* Allow time to grow, preserve, store, and cook your own food. Grow an organic garden, make your own bread, do your own canning and freezing. If you have a busy lifestyle, set aside time to prepare some freezer meals. Aren’t you glad for longer daylight in the summer?
* Make sure your car’s gas tank remains half full, wash it weekly, keep scheduled oil change appointments, and check tire pressure and oil before trips. Allow plenty of time for warming up your car and defrosting windshields in the winter. Triple A doesn’t cover these items.
* Make appointments for you and your family to visit the doctor for their wellness checkups (unless you’re my age and need to go to refill blood pressure meds anyway). Schedule your dental appointments for your regular cleaning and checkups every 3-6 months. Don’t forget your annual eye exam, too. If your child isn’t happy or doesn’t behave the way you expect, make him a mental health appointment, or your regular Dr. might be happy to prescribe him something.
* Daily hygiene is important, unless you live alone. So, please brush your teeth for a full minute, floss daily, wash your hair daily, your face, and all the body parts moms check after bath time. Those with long hair must remember to brush at least 100 strokes every day.
* Make sure your calendar reflects that good quality family time with your kids and grandkids sporting events, concerts, programs, birthday parties, field trips, scouting, and whatever else interests them…no matter if it makes us too tired to talk to them or have them over for a visit.
* Allow time for each child to do his or her homework and chores, have sufficient outdoor play time, have a family dinner at the table, and bath time. Include story time for young children before tucking these precious gifts into bed. Reward-time might also be needed for some children.
* If you want to teach children responsibility, allow time daily to feed and water their pets. Extra time needs to be planned for bathing animals, brushing, taking on walks for their exercise,
and taking to groomers and to get shots.
* Save money. Cut out coupons, compare bargains online to find the best deals possible, and plan menus ahead. Don’t forget thrift stores or to pay your credit cards.
* Adult chores and errands require time also. Keep up with the shopping and mopping, laundry and dishes, trash and bathrooms, and whatever else needs cleaned and shined. I need to go to the bank and the post office to pay some bills. Do I have a hair appt. this week or anything extra to bake? I believe Aunt Susie is having surgery Tuesday.
* Check tools and schedule home maintenance projects according to the seasons. you know, indoor repairs in the winter and mowing and gardening in the summer. Give your furnaces and AC’s some tender-loving care.
* Women, take time for yourself. Get your hair colored, a pedicure, or a massage. But, definitely take care of your skin. Include time for masks, lotions, extra conditioning for hair, and much more. Lotions are a lady’s best friend.
After doing all you absolutely have to, make sure you take time for yourself. Draw up a nice, hot bath, sip some favorite tea or coffee, curl up and read a good book. That is, if you’ve posted all the family pictures on Facebook and caught up on all your friends’ activities. Or, you might need to take time to learn the newest social media to keep up with the trends.
QUESTIONS: What do you think? Tired? Aren’t we amazing creatures to do what we do? Share what is the easiest and hardest things for you?
P.S. Have fun with this. You deserve a break! Seriously, though, I appreciate your taking time out of your BUSY SCHEDULE to stop in and read my blog. Please come again, and tell others if you like it. Thanks. There’s plenty more stories to read when you have more margin.
© 2017, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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