Unfinished Tasks

I am taking today off. 

I need a day to reboot, to tackle some of my unfinished tasks around the house and in the sewing room.

Though I'm usually fairly organized, I have gotten off track and it makes me feel unsettled. I can't think straight until I get a few things completed.

Balance

I've been taking things as they come for the past week. Alternating between paperwork and me time seems like the best way to manage right now. 

Thankfully, I have this lovely time of year to go out and enjoy a breath of fresh air.

Balance is not something you find,

it's something you create.

Distracted

Lately I've been a little scattered. Instead of focusing on my to do list, I find myself veering off course. I'll start a project that morphs into something completely different. I'm getting things done, only not what I had planned.

Could be I need to try harder to stay on track. Or maybe I just need to let go and follow where distraction leads me.

“I hate when people ask me what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't even know what I'm doing right now.” - Unknown

“You can always find a distraction if you're looking for one.” – Tom Kite

Adjust Your Sails

Life isn't always a smooth ride. There are bumps, wrong turns, and detours along the way. Oh, life's journey isn't meant to be perfect. Some unexpected experiences bring amazing joy; others cause significant frustration. Everything that happens to you is an opportunity to learn and grow.

I believe Albert Einstein said that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. On the other hand, plunging ahead into the unknown might not be the best alternative.

Sometimes it's best to stop and assess your position. Ask yourself where you want to go from here. Which direction is best for you? What do you want to do along the way?

Check your compass. Adjust your sails. Follow your own path.

I am the master of my fate.

I am the captain of my soul.

~William Ernest Henley

Don't adjust your sails

for people

who aren't riding with you.

~Tony Gaskins

FOCUS

:a point of convergence 

 

:a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding 

 

:a center of activity, attraction, or attention

Occasionally it's hard to focus.  Distractions keep you from the things you want in life. Stress, confusion, and negative people make you lose concentration and momentum.

Staying focused on where you want to go helps you stay on track. Take a moment every now and then to reflect on what's important and where you want to focus your attention. You'll gain perspective, peace, and energy to move forward.

Focus on the things you can change and let go of the things you can't. 
 
When life gets blurry, adjust your focus.

Seeking Solitude

Sometimes I need to be alone. Just me and an uncluttered mind. No phone, no laptop, no email, no people. No radio or television. No housework or undone projects hanging over my head. No appointments, grocery shopping, or errands waiting to be done. No responsibility other than to myself and definitely no pressure from the expectations of others.

I'm normally an extrovert, but when life gets stressful I crave the quietness and peace that comes from solitude. It can be difficult to turn off my brain because I'm always making lists in my head or creating new ideas. Being alone helps me focus and think more clearly.

You'd think that retirement would give me lots of solitude. It's true that I should have more control of my time, but it seems like I'm doing more than ever. Camping, hobbies, family, and home improvements come with their own set of distractions and to do lists.

I need to work on setting boundaries and priorities. After all, I shouldn't feel guilty for needing time for myself. It's the best way to recharge my batteries and energize my spirit. I'd like a week at the beach, but I'll settle for a day at home with no interruptions. 

“True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body - nourishment and refreshment.” William Penn

“How can you hear your soul if everyone is talking?” – Mary Doria Russell

Let Go To Make Room

Toss these things:

• Old ideas
• Distractions
• Difficult people
• Guilt
• Perfection
• Negative energy
• Clutter
• Others' expectations

to make room for these:

• New possibilities
• Simplicity
• Calm focus
• Increased creativity
• Happiness
• Renewed passion
• Serenity
• Positive momentum
• Personal satisfaction

Let go of something now to make space for new and amazing possibilities.

“We must learn to let go as easily as we grasp
or we will find our hands full and our minds empty.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

Distractions Can Be Good For You

When you're trying to focus on a goal or project, distractions are usually the last thing you want. You have to stop what you're doing to catch the phone, answer a question, run an important errand, or whatever. Getting back to your previous train of thought can be difficult and it takes time to refocus your mind.

Sometimes, however, a distraction is exactly what you need. It allows you to take a break and focus on something new. Instead of getting upset or stressed, use the interruption as a reminder to relax, clear your mind, and enjoy the moment. It's the small things that can make a difference.

My routine has been interrupted some lately. Mostly good ones, including a nice lunch with friends and a relaxing visit from my mama. I'll take distractions as they come. I believe stepping out of your normal routine every now and then keeps things interesting. If you live every moment and give your best to each opportunity, you add value to your life.

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans”
 John Lennon

Distracted by a Tangle of Thread

It started with beads bouncing off the floor, going everywhere.  You know the feeling, a necklace breaks and you hear beads sliding uncontrollably toward every corner and crevice they can find.  I scooped most of them up, then got the broom to gather the rest.   Or so I thought.

Later that day, working on clearing off my desk, I slid my chair across the floor – crunch.  So I got on my hands and knees to find the wayward culprit that had jammed the chair wheel.  Boy, was I surprised!  All five wheels were wound with colorful threads from many sewing projects.  You couldn't see it from above because of the covers over the rollers.   It's a wonder they functioned.  I'm not particularly messy...well maybe a little.  But I do sweep my space after sewing projects to get the scraps off the floor.  How often do we actually get down at eye level with the rollers of our chairs anyway?

So there was my distraction.  I had to get all the thread out of the rollers.  And it was tightly wrapped.   Armed with scissors and tweezers, I began to pick out the bits.   Yarn, thread, serger tails, tiny fragments of fabric from who knows how long ago.  My husband walked by and pulled the wheels off to make things easier.  We couldn't believe how much stuff was in there.  It took a while, but after cleaning and a squirt of WD40, we popped them back on and I was rolling freely again.

Useful Notion:  The squeaky wheel doesn't always get the attention...it might be a jammed wheel that distracts you from the task at hand.  Both distractions give you an opportunity.  Sometimes you should stay focused and attend to it later.  But other times it could be better to go with it, because you never know what you'll find if you look up, down, over or under instead of straight ahead. 

"Life is sometimes like tangled thread...either sort it out or make a nest" -- Katie Scarlett 

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