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When I get too busy with my things-to-do list, I sometimes forget there is a world out there other than my own itty-bitty one. When I’m too focused on my overwhelming list I succumb to the “elevator mentality.” You know what that is, don’t you?
While moving from floor to floor with others on an elevator, there is little or no eye contact. Few words are spoken. We may hear “excuse me” or “I’m sorry,” or “this is my floor” but that’s about it. Certainly, there is little concern for those around us. We are too busy protecting ourselves.
This happens to me too frequently. Once I begin focusing on my own little world and the things to do in it, I’m into that floor-to-floor mode. For example, I am doing so many things, while marking off a list of rather unimportant things to do in the scope of life. My list yesterday was, 1. Check oil, 2. Buy stamps, 3. Make a dental appointment, 4. Balance checkbook. 5. Pay bills, 6. Make grocery list, 7. Stop at grocery store, 8. Buy greeting cards, 9. Get Abby (my dog) groomed, and the list goes on and on until final countdown.
Why would I make such a long list of all these things to do when only one or two items would be of the utmost importance? Only God knows. See…when I decide to meet all those listed tasks I become stressed to the max. I say little to anyone because I am hurriedly and blissfully swooshing through the day. I do not take time to digest food while sharing a meal with a friend. Instead, I am cramming something down my throat as I drive just over the speed limit from Point A to Point B. Sometimes I’m driving with a sandwich in one hand and my cell phone in another hand, and yes, I have only two hands.
When I was a kid, my mother told me that I could do anything I set my mind to. This proves her to be right, but only because I’m juggling—certainly not because I am using good sense.
When attempting to accomplish every task on my list, I allot no time to call and chat with a family member. That elevator mentality beats me again. I do not talk with my best buddies, Abby and Brooke, the terriers who live with me. Instead, I rush on and on, seemingly moving from one floor to the next. Yet, I get nowhere and feel as though I have accomplished nothing.
Finally, at the end of a day like the one I just described to you, I crash. I become too exhausted to deal with people. The End.
So, what can I do to change, I ask myself.
I will not create such long lists. I will no longer allow my schedule to run my life, which will give me time to reach out to people. I will lose myself as I work in my community to build a stronger me and community. I will take time out for me. I will allot time for exercise. I will listen to beautiful music. I will sing, share, and simply enjoy being with friends and family. Oh, yes...I realize that I have created another list, but there is a difference. This one is not a list of isolation. It doesn't resemble my elevator mentality list.
There is plenty of time for work. But there is not plenty of time to love one another. Life is short. So why not stop and breathe in a bit of that fresh air before we no longer have air to breathe? Okay, that’s it. I’m going for a walk. Geez, I feel better already.
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