There was a time when one might pause to greet an old friend in public. After initial hugs and hellos, each would give and receive updates on family life, current events, and shared memories between friends.
In today’s busy, always-on-the-go world, the above scenario has become almost obsolete, replaced with a typical exchange that goes something like this:
“Hi, how are you?”
“Busy.”
“I know what you mean. I barely have time to breathe and most days don’t know whether I’m coming or going.”
“I hear you. In fact, I gotta’ run. I have to pick up one son from soccer and drop the other off at a sleep-over, then grab some take-out for supper to eat in the car on my way to a meeting.”
“Ok, hang in there and tell your husband I said hi.”
“I will if I ever see him. Seems like we haven’t had five minutes to talk in over a month!”
It’s no wonder many medical professionals have claimed to see an increase in stress-related illnesses! So, how busy is too busy?
That’s a controversial topic due to the fact that we humans love to justify our busy-ness by saying that we are doing necessary things, or performing services for our families, communities—even, God.
The following questions might help discern:
- Do you have trouble keeping up on personal things in your life, such as laundry, meals and household upkeep?
- Are there things you’d like to do but can’t, because of your schedule? (Think: reading (or writing) that great novel, climbing a mountain, learning to crochet, reorganizing the basement shelves or taking a family vacation)
- Does your schedule cause contention or discord in important areas of your life, such as your marriage or relationship with your children?
- When you think ahead to my next week’s schedule, do you feel peaceful, joyful and eager, or anxious and stressed?
A simple list may help fine tune your schedule to encourage overall good health in mind, body and soul. Create three columns- the first including everything on your current, regular schedule— the second, what the first column might look like if you had complete control over your own time, and, the third, what changes might be made (things added or deleted) if you were to allow God to design your schedule for you?
How busy “too busy” is varies, since each person is unique, with different needs, desires and goals in life. Being honest with yourself is a good start to determine if life has become blessed or stressed.
Either way, there’s no “playback” option. Each day is an unrepeatable gift and every person must decide how that day will spent. Finding a balance between obligations and personally chosen activities is a key factor in nurturing ourselves as whole persons, counting our blessings and fully embracing all life has to offer.
Are you too busy?
What can you do to change that?
Writer Bio
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.
