Slow Motion

Life in slow motion, somehow it don't feel real.  Lyrics from "Slow Motion" by David Gray 

As the song moves through its minor chords, it draws me in. 

And sometimes life seems to move in slow motion. When you're stuck waiting. When things seem stuck in limbo. If you've ever been in hospital, time seems to slow to a crawl. 

Yet every minute of every day is measured the same way. But we all feel the movement of time differently. It becomes more obvious as you get older.  There are moments when I wish time would slow.  When I was waiting to get out of high school, I wished time would hurry up.  

But each tick of the clock is just that ... time moving forward. 

I don't want to go back to living life in hyper speed, chasing down kids, getting to work on time, or tracking all those other details.  I also don't want to be sitting in a rocking chair watching life go by. So where's the happy medium?? 

I've always been one who likes routine, a schedule, and now that my time isn't driven by a time clock or school schedules, there's a freedom in being able to choose.  Yes, I still need to do laundry and all those other pesky chores, but I can choose tomorrow instead of today!

Today's walk doesn't need to be a speed walk crammed into 20 or 30 minutes, it can meander all over. Or even be tomorrow.  My choice!! 

No matter what speed you're moving through life in, make sure that you're enjoying the journey!  

Decision Fatigue

Making decisions is something we all have to do every day. Whether you're still in school, just starting life as an adult, married, raising kids -- all of that comes with decisions. 

Most of us don't pay attention to how many decisions we make, we just make them.  For me, the realization hit me when I was deciding "what's for dinner".  I was raising kids, working, etc etc. Every day it was the same "what's for dinner?" It's a never ending decision!!  And it doesn't end after the kids are grown!

I'm usually pretty good at making decisions, getting things done. But I had no idea how hard it is when you're making decisions for another person, and that person has opinions of their own.  And yes, I'm talking about mom. 

Its easy making choices as the mom, or head of household, but I am now making decisions about mom's life. And she (usually) doesn't like my choices!  If I suggest, she may agree, but then second guesses it at every turn.  

So it drags me down, and down, and down. I try not to let it, but it keeps happening.  Every time I think I'm done, she pulls up her phone and starts texting and/or calling. I always feel bad when I turn my phone off, but that's how I rebuild my sanity. 

The next time you find yourself making a decision, think about how many you make, and be happy that you can still manage your own decisions.  I dread the day my daughter has to start making them for me. With luck, it won't come to that!!!