This week’s message comes from Regional Director, Board member and TOPS Treasurer Sandra Seidlitz.

Real People… Real Busy

by Sandra Seidlitz

Have you heard the expression, “If you want something done, you should ask a busy person”? In TOPS or in everyday life, for the most part, this works. Are you one of these busy people who have so much to do but can’t seem to say “no”?

You let your name stand for the executive and participate in the many other jobs in a chapter. I bet that someone—maybe the person who asked you to do one more thing— has even told you to “take some time for yourself.”

When you open your eyes in the morning, a whole list of things to do that day runs across your brain like ticker tape. You pick a place to start tackling this never-ending list, dive in and work- work- work all day long.

What a quandary we put ourselves in! We do so much for others, we lose track of ourselves and cannot find an extra minute to be ourselves. All of us like to feel needed. However, there is a limit to how much one person can do before it starts taking a toll on health and mind.

It is not selfish to just walk away from that list that should be done. You can do it. Force yourself to claim some time for you. Go to your grandson’s hockey game or to your daughter’s dance recital. They grow up to fast! Go to the lake for the weekend…even if it means you do much of the preparation involved in the trip. It will be a break in your routine, and you will feel so much better for it!

Make a list of all the things you would like to do to take a break…reading, sewing, shopping, walking, swimming, riding your bike, gardening, calling a friend, even looking up things on the Internet or taking a short nap. The choices are endless. The length of time involved in each break will be varied too. The hard part is convincing yourself to do one of these things instead of what is on that “other list”. Sometimes even a 5-10 minute break will make the world seem like a better place.

Treating yourself kindly will put you in a better frame of mind to handle all the many demands others make on you. Give it a try. Don’t ever be too busy for “you”!

Wise words from a very busy lady… thanks, Sandra!

I Care, Barb