I Am So Busy: Happy Heart
A while back I ran across this article, The Disease of Being Busy. Just how busy are we? Are we so busy that our hearts are not happy?
A few years ago, I was busy, being busy! Today? Not so much, but I do keep busy. The difference? Over two years ago I was in the survival mode. Worked a full-time job, Monday through Friday, and on weekends I worked as a part-time winery attendant. Let's add to that time frame I also went back to school for a couple of years with a 13-credit hour load, and then upon that I found myself working on my writing to keep up with an accidental following of wine lovers. (No one was suppose to be reading me. I was just doing some casual wine journaling... )
Today I still keep busy - - but always find time to "smell the roses," so to speak... I am working on my happy heart. If I wanted to, I could still be as busy working many hours as years past, but I have opted not to. Was I any happier with more money to spend? No. Sure, I am now on a budget and have cut a few things out of my life, but frankly I don't miss what I don't have. Do I regret being that busy in my past to where I forgot to look around once in awhile? No. I have no regrets, because I always learn lessons.
The lesson I learned is to stay busy doing things that make my heart happy, such as reading a couple of books at a time - at least one silly or juicy novel, and another that is perhaps a trade or inspirational book. I am trying to spend less time on social media, and spend more time on my writing. I keep busy picking up a needle, making a stitch, adding a few beads - - and plugging in the hot glue gun. I keep busy treasure hunting for "junque." I keep busy watching old classic movies, and discovering old sitcoms that are new to me.
Recently, my newest way to keep busy is to research some recipes that are perfect for freezing. Since I no longer cook for a family for "sit-around-the-table-dinners," I have developed some bad habits. When I was "busy" I would forget to eat. I wouldn't plan for my meals, so there were a lot of instant or convenient foods from the freezer aisle, and take-out. That habit stuck, so I am working on taking the time to eat "slow" food that I have prepared using fresh ingredients, served on a nice plate, sitting down to eat, and most of all to relax. I feel so wealthy every time I look into my freezer and see all of the casseroles and soups I have prepared for the winter.
In the past, socializing seemed constant and was more about work. Today, when I do socialize it is about gathering casually with friends, or planning a fun project. My dog's hearts are certainly happier, too. It use to be I would rush in and rush out to feed and potty them. Now, for at least a half-hour they have my focus in the mornings herding them around the yard, chatting over a cup of coffee, and we often have time for an afternoon nap together. Today I keep busy by sitting down when the mood strikes, and tapping out something on the keyboard for you to read.
From being busy to now keeping busy is an adjustment - - and it is not perfect, yet. However, my heart is learning to be happier. So how is your heart today?
A few years ago, I was busy, being busy! Today? Not so much, but I do keep busy. The difference? Over two years ago I was in the survival mode. Worked a full-time job, Monday through Friday, and on weekends I worked as a part-time winery attendant. Let's add to that time frame I also went back to school for a couple of years with a 13-credit hour load, and then upon that I found myself working on my writing to keep up with an accidental following of wine lovers. (No one was suppose to be reading me. I was just doing some casual wine journaling... )
Today I still keep busy - - but always find time to "smell the roses," so to speak... I am working on my happy heart. If I wanted to, I could still be as busy working many hours as years past, but I have opted not to. Was I any happier with more money to spend? No. Sure, I am now on a budget and have cut a few things out of my life, but frankly I don't miss what I don't have. Do I regret being that busy in my past to where I forgot to look around once in awhile? No. I have no regrets, because I always learn lessons.
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| Some of the few I am reading, and that doesn't count what is on my Kindle. |
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| Catching up on old cross-stitch kits It's very old fashioned, but terribly addictive |
In the past, socializing seemed constant and was more about work. Today, when I do socialize it is about gathering casually with friends, or planning a fun project. My dog's hearts are certainly happier, too. It use to be I would rush in and rush out to feed and potty them. Now, for at least a half-hour they have my focus in the mornings herding them around the yard, chatting over a cup of coffee, and we often have time for an afternoon nap together. Today I keep busy by sitting down when the mood strikes, and tapping out something on the keyboard for you to read.
From being busy to now keeping busy is an adjustment - - and it is not perfect, yet. However, my heart is learning to be happier. So how is your heart today?
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