I read a book last year sometime (wish I could remember which one it was) that talked about being aware of the energy you share. We each start the day with a limited amount. Each day that amount is different. Although there are things that demand our attention and energy (work, feeding our families, laundry, etc), we need to really try to reserve some of that core energy for our inner circle...whoever that may be.
So many times we tend to get caught up in outer-circle demands and distractions and our energy gets sucked outside of the realm and people who need it most.
For me, this is my honey and boys. They definitely deserve my best reserve of energy. And some days they demand it (girl...you know what I mean!). But during the summer months, I find myself slipping into the all-to-familiar bad habits of checking social media too often, taking phone calls to catch up with my brother or friend that linger a little too long (for my kids liking), getting caught up in chores that need done...but aren't urgent.
By the time dinner is served, kitchen is cleaned and the sun is setting...I am ready to pour myself into bed. The last thing I feel like doing is bathing my kids, reading with them, tucking them in, praying with them...then possibly getting 30 minutes to myself before I crash. Which never feels like enough alone time for this introvert after hearing 'mom!' 12,001 times a day. I get resentful that I don't have more time to just 'be' and recover from the busy-ness of the day. But is that really my kids 'fault'? Of course not...
They tend to get less than my best energy at this point in the day. To say it mildly....lol
I don't like ending these wonderful summer days on a sour note...or a rushed note. So I am trying to revisit the great advice from the mystery book I read last year and be more aware of my time and how I'm spending it. Who am I giving my energy to in places I could be saving? Facebook? Instagram? Cleaning the return air vents?
Limiting social media time. Blocking down-time into our schedule...game time, movie time, reading time...with my kids. Giving them baths immediately after dinner (or before) if I feel the fatigue setting in. These are little ways I can be smarter about my energy.
Also, distractions... When I am distracted (or upset) about circumstances outside of my control...I tend to dwell and linger in those thoughts which takes energy. When I see something *sparkly* in a magazine or commercial and spend time looking into it. When I hear of something that happened in our world and I spend time and energy trying to research it to get to the source of truth.
I really need to think...would this be a good use of my time? Is this a rabbit hole or a tunnel leading to a place of progression? What am I running to...or from?
Usually, a much more productive use of my time would be to just take a moment...pray. Release things that are not in my immediate range and let God take over. Even situations in my immediate reach...work, potential job opportunities, health scares, unknowns. I can do my best each day to work my hardest....but knowing where to put those efforts is more important than blindly bulldozing my way forward.
When I sit STILL and LISTEN...then I typically find answers. I find clarity. I find direction.
When I work smarter...I use less energy. I have more left for my family.
This summer has been a fun rush of work, balanced with play dates and out of town visitors. But the one thing I have forgotten is to schedule time for the balance. Giving my kids my undivided attention after a big day of social stimulation. Resting after a late night of playing. Praying when anxiety and stress set in...releasing it so my thoughts can focus on what's in front of me.
I'll probably figure this out and find that balance the week before school starts back up. : )
In what ways do you give your family your best energy?
So many times we tend to get caught up in outer-circle demands and distractions and our energy gets sucked outside of the realm and people who need it most.
For me, this is my honey and boys. They definitely deserve my best reserve of energy. And some days they demand it (girl...you know what I mean!). But during the summer months, I find myself slipping into the all-to-familiar bad habits of checking social media too often, taking phone calls to catch up with my brother or friend that linger a little too long (for my kids liking), getting caught up in chores that need done...but aren't urgent.
By the time dinner is served, kitchen is cleaned and the sun is setting...I am ready to pour myself into bed. The last thing I feel like doing is bathing my kids, reading with them, tucking them in, praying with them...then possibly getting 30 minutes to myself before I crash. Which never feels like enough alone time for this introvert after hearing 'mom!' 12,001 times a day. I get resentful that I don't have more time to just 'be' and recover from the busy-ness of the day. But is that really my kids 'fault'? Of course not...
They tend to get less than my best energy at this point in the day. To say it mildly....lol
I don't like ending these wonderful summer days on a sour note...or a rushed note. So I am trying to revisit the great advice from the mystery book I read last year and be more aware of my time and how I'm spending it. Who am I giving my energy to in places I could be saving? Facebook? Instagram? Cleaning the return air vents?
Limiting social media time. Blocking down-time into our schedule...game time, movie time, reading time...with my kids. Giving them baths immediately after dinner (or before) if I feel the fatigue setting in. These are little ways I can be smarter about my energy.
Also, distractions... When I am distracted (or upset) about circumstances outside of my control...I tend to dwell and linger in those thoughts which takes energy. When I see something *sparkly* in a magazine or commercial and spend time looking into it. When I hear of something that happened in our world and I spend time and energy trying to research it to get to the source of truth.
I really need to think...would this be a good use of my time? Is this a rabbit hole or a tunnel leading to a place of progression? What am I running to...or from?
Usually, a much more productive use of my time would be to just take a moment...pray. Release things that are not in my immediate range and let God take over. Even situations in my immediate reach...work, potential job opportunities, health scares, unknowns. I can do my best each day to work my hardest....but knowing where to put those efforts is more important than blindly bulldozing my way forward.
When I sit STILL and LISTEN...then I typically find answers. I find clarity. I find direction.
When I work smarter...I use less energy. I have more left for my family.
This summer has been a fun rush of work, balanced with play dates and out of town visitors. But the one thing I have forgotten is to schedule time for the balance. Giving my kids my undivided attention after a big day of social stimulation. Resting after a late night of playing. Praying when anxiety and stress set in...releasing it so my thoughts can focus on what's in front of me.
I'll probably figure this out and find that balance the week before school starts back up. : )
In what ways do you give your family your best energy?
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