Monday 1 December 2008

Overwhelmed


The time of year is always overwhelming for me. I truly believe in the real Reason for the Season, but not in all the hoopla that the commercial retailers try to drill in my head, that a simple small gift is the best and it only costs "thousands of dollars".

It is the spirit of giving....come on - take a look at reality....even the cost of our running gear and gadgets are costly.... I don't even have a family, nor kids, let alone grandkids to buy for....how do you guys do it???


I'm also overwhelmed with winter (already), what with trying to keep my house in some semblance of tidiness, I now have to shovel my decks and my driveway, plus keep my mailbox area cleared for fear of a reprimand from Canada Post.....

Plus to throw into the mix, trying to train for the upcoming Half Marathon in January and our 10K Resolution Run on New Year's Eve.

Bah humbug I say!!!!
Manservant most definitely required!!!

So, this morning I am getting ready for work (again), yes I was at the office on Sunday after my run. I feel this inner turmoil beginning to burble.....it is a grinding feeling, that you are not accomplishing much and none of it very well.....when I arrive at the office this morning I'm told that the project that I worked on over the weekend is not a priority now, that another job has taken precedence.....

That is when I opened up an email from a motivational mentor I have....

"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are."

Roy Disney, Longtime senior executive to The Walt Disney Company


It's natural to feel conflicted when your life is out of sync with your values.

For example, if you believe your number one value is your family and you work 65 hours a week, is it any wonder that you feel unsettled and unhappy?

When you're clear about what is important to you, it will be much easier to let go of the things in your life that don't fit.

Start the week off right...examine your values.

WOW, one of those Ahhhhaaa, moments!

One person can only do so much, one person can only be helpful when they are helpful to them self. One cannot expect to get blood from a stone.

With this busy Christmas Season ahead of us, take time to remember the Reason for the Season, don't get caught up in all of the commercialism. Take time for family, friends and most importantly, Yourself....

Today, after work, I am not going to the gym, I will go home, relax, have a nice dinner with a glass of red wine and soak in the tub....

Life's fun if you don't weaken,
Lily
(maybe I should have a little cheese with all of the whine)!!!

32 comments:

Kim said...

Amen girlfriend!
Sounds as if that is exactly what you need to do.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Great post... and you're so right. It's hard not to get swept up by the busyness of the season. Enjoy your evening :D

Aka Alice said...

I don't see no whine...

Oh you are soooooo right. I feel the pressure building as well. Thanks for this post...with the economy and all in the crapper, I'm gonna need lots of wine this season!

BeachRunner said...

Great post Lily. What you say is oh so true.

Jess said...

It can be a stressful time of year, but you're right, remaining focused on what's important helps put things into perspective.

Carly said...

Great post! Thanks for sharing your Ahhhhaaaa moment....I needed to see that too.

Alexandra said...

That is exactly what I needed to read today! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings!

Wes said...

Living life according to your principles DOES make the answers easy :-) Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Unknown said...

My favorate part of the holiday season is doing the stuff with my family. Even my kids are much more interested in putting up the tree and decorating than they are in what gifts they will get...

...at least for now.

That is a great philosophy.

Runner Leana said...

Laurel, thanks so much for your post. I definitely know the feeling. Last week I was feeling so overwhelmed with work and trying to fit in training and friends and by the end of the week I was in a serious funk. It is a shame that our busiest time at work is leading up to Christmas. Thankfully after a bit of me time I feel much better!

Marlene said...

That is some great advice. Enjoy your evening for YOU tonight.

Marcy said...

I know what you mean. This (Christmas) year has been kinda of a downer for me so far. Normally around this time I'm super happy to be out buying gifts and being in the holiday spirit but it seems like such a hassle. GAH!

Bandobras said...

gee you want a manservant Ok
By the way what's for supper, can you get me a beer, The game's on tonight so I'll use the TV.
I shoveled the whole driveway today. Have you done the laundry yet?
There is everything better now? I do what I can to help.

Run Mommy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
triguyjt said...

right on the money sister!!!

Chic Runner said...

That picture cracked me up! :) Thanks for keeping me right on track. :)

Chic Runner said...

That picture cracked me up! :) Thanks for keeping me right on track. :)

Unknown said...

well said. :-)

Judi said...

great post. i am right with ya when it comes to this time of the year. i am way emo too. jus posted about it too, lol.

lilly, i hope your week gets better.

judi

bluecolnago said...

the marketers do a great job of telling us, and our kids, what we "need". the latest, greatest game or gadget that we just can't live without. ah well, somewhere the true spirit got lost in the marketing. i think a lot of people are starting to figure it out and are slowly changing their "christmas habits". i know judy and i have changed a lot over the last few years. smaller, less expensive gifts and more family time seems to work. the grandkids don't seem to mind. the toys eventually break, or lose their luster and get put on a shelf or thrown away but the family is still there. it's all good, young lady!

good luck with your training! my racing season is over so i can now drink more beer! lol. you know what i mean. :)

be good!

Database Diva said...

The greatest gift my parents gave me was a set of values. By the time I tried to pass the gift to my children, the world had changed, and it was much harder. I discovered a local charity that provided gifts for low income families during the holidays, and I started volunteering. Soon my whole family was volunteering, and Christmas became what it should be -- the gift you give of yourself, not the gift you receive. I served as president of the organization for 3 years, and it was hard work, but I still got much more out of it than I ever put into it.

I would encourage anyone who is feeling the Christmas pressure to find an opportunity to volunteer. Usually all we need to get back on track is a change of perspective.

Lily on the Road said...

Right on Diva!!!

No truer words spoken....

Give to the Snow Suit Fund, which was held this weekend in Ottawa!

Give to the Shepherd's of Good Hope, a year 'round worthy cause for people suffering from addiction and homelessness....

Give of yourself, because there is no better gift than the difference you can make in the life of a child.

RunToTheFinish said...

first where can I sign up for the man servant?

second I think this season can be overwhelming..but only if you are focused on trying to conquer the world.. just enjoy all the little things and your job will get done one step at a time (I know mine is crazy this time of year too!!)

Nat said...

Sometimes you need a good post like this to put it in perspective.

(Love the reindeer.)

Values...

Marci said...

Relax and enjoy an evening to yourself. I know we all say this but X-mas should be family and friends and good times, not gifts. Easier said then done. PS trying to get a group together to run Hamilton Boxing Day 10 miler if you are interested.

teacherwoman said...

Great post!

BTW...did someone say manservant?

Viv said...

Wonderful post, i have to remember that. i put up decor this season without really enjoying it almost like a chore. Need to slow down and enjoy the lights.

Manserveant, yes puhlese :-)

Nitmos said...

I like to shop online. Less stressful, more enjoyable. Keeps the "people hating" at bay.

Vava said...

Unless that stone is my rock hard pectoral muscle!

Ha!

Good luck on everything during this busy month, and keep it stress free!

Laurel said...

Great post. Sounds like a wonderful evening. Enjoy!

Vickie said...

Yes, a nice relaxing drunken evening can do wonders!

E said...

I really liked this post. I totally agree with you!