What Happened To My Margin?
by Gina Valley
Rest
Soft and fragrant
Light and pure
Sparks my own
Seen in a mirror
Close my eyes
To open my mind
Dance of dreams
No passage of time
The patter of magic
Soft footfalls
Brilliant spaces
Tiny halls
Sparkles and stars
Shimmer and shine
All bring stories
Laughter mine
Enter thoughts too big to see
Hear them clear and brought to me
As I carry off my dreamed gifts dear
I know
Again
I’ll be drawn back here
-Gina Valley
I’m really tired today.
I’m so tired that I spelled “I’m” wrong. Twice. Thank goodness for spell check!
I’m not sleepy, although I wouldn’t say “no” to a nap (who would say “no” to a nap?), I’m tired.
Things have popped up in life that I need to make time for in my already full schedule, things that take energy to deal with. Energy that, frankly, I just don’t have right now.
I need to do some re-prioritizing and re-scheduling because my plate is too full, and my time to rest and recharge has been lost. I need to get that back.
Of course, ironically, it takes time to do the re-prioritizing and rescheduling to open up some time. That’s why I haven’t done it yet.
I’m sure you can relate.
I think we all over-stuff our days, spending time and energy before we even have them.
I need to make it a point, we all do, to schedule enough margin into life to allow for the stuff that shows up unexpectedly.
When we don’t allow ourselves margin, unscheduled extra time and energy, we position ourselves into an unbendable place. Our life lacks give. If there is no give, no bend, no margin, our only options are to stand firm or to break.
We need that third option.
We need margin.
Margin allows us to take time to think and enjoy. When we are too busy doing good stuff, we miss out on doing the best stuff. We need margin to allow us to see it before it passes us by.
I need to get my margin back. I’m going to spend part of the holiday tomorrow planning, rescheduling, and delegating toward that end.
I’m also going to start a big squirt gun fight.
Fun is the first thing that disappears when the margin is missing. I intend to take mine back.
I hope you do, too.
Love!
-gina
How is your life? Is it balanced right now? Do you have enough margin to allow for the pop-ups? Are you allowing yourself to have fun? How do you make sure you don’t miss the “bests” while you are working on the “goods”? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Brian Sorrell
May 27, 2013I like this idea of “margin.” For my part: I found that I was driving myself insane with daily to-do lists. It just doesn’t work with a kid nipping at your heels, and every day would end in exasperation and disappointment. The solution for me was to change the way I break up my life. Rather than day to day, I live week to week now. I have weekly lists. Weekly goals. A day a week for this, another day for that. Much better balance, for me. Definitely better “margins.”
steve shapiro
May 27, 2013Keep the lists. With a list, and all the things you have to do, all you have to remember is ‘Where’s my list?’
steve shapiro
May 27, 2013Don’t forget, there’s interest on margin.