Do you see all of those water droplets on the spider web above? They would be a pretty good representation of those things I have going on in my life on any given day. There are big droplets, little droplets, fuzzy droplets, droplets that just happen to be there to make the web look pretty, and droplets completely in focus.
This wet web is the perfect photographic metaphor for my life, now, today.
Sometimes my life can be overwhelming, but most of my days are no different from those of anyone else. There is always something to do. There are always things that are more and less important.
After my year (at least) of spinning in place, I really need something else. I considered the words "order" and "control", and; though they both came close, neither offered the spontaneity required in a busy family with kids in various sports and activities. In as much as there is perceived order in a sport and school schedule, we have to be constantly available and prepared for a change: an added practice, a re-scheduled game, a new concert, a sick child, the never-ending chaos I would give up for nothing else!
First order of business? Put a system BACK in place. My home is my "work", raising my kids is my "work", writing is my "work", and for years I had a system. It was a Control Journal, à la Flylady, which was a guideline for the chaos of raising four kids who were born within a span of five years, who were at an age that there was some sense of schedule. The past couple of years that control has gone by the wayside, by necessity, but is sorely needed now. I twigged on this when I considered my word for 2010 and when I read this article on The Boss of You. I need a system. Something not quite as involved and rigid as my Flylady Control Journal, but one that would add some control into the break-neck pace of our now-entering-adolescence existence. I need to FOCUS on what works best for our family and go from there.
Over the next week, I'll share my ideas and the format I'm planning on using to incorporate more focus into my 2010. The idea of getting things organized, lists made and gaining some focus is very freeing, in a wonky way. You'd think putting a plan together might make you feel all tied up, and I suppose for some it does, but, for me? I feel free, lighter, joyful.
Loving the idea of FOCUS so far!
(aka, my accountability list)
Lose 10 pounds each month
Walk 10,000 steps each day
Read 2 novels each month
Complete 365 layouts by September 30, 2010
Continue to say "yes" as often as possible
Organize all photographs - digital and physical
Monthly Field Trip to ROM, AGO or a play, in Toronto
Take kids to swim with dolphins
Clean out and synchronize Macs regularly
Blog every day to exercise writing skills
Complete all incomplete creative projects
Send real letters and birthday cards, not electronic
additionally ...Participate in Weekly Gratitude Project each week
I'm looking forward to scratching each of those items off the list as they are completed and thoroughly enjoyed. What are your plans for 2010?
(I cannot remember when or where I stumbled upon the photo, and I neglected to keep track of who the brilliant photographer might be and who to thank for this visual. For that I am immensely sorry.)
