Time Management
I find myself struggling to manage my time. Either I want to do too many things, or I do not manage the time God has given me very well. When my children were all young and I home-schooled, I seemed to accomplish more than I do now. Why is that? My age? Hmmm, that could be part of it, because as we age, we often find ourselves slowing down, but I don't think that is the answer as much as it as excuse.
For me, I have a lot of interests that I put on hold, because between the house responsibilities, the children, and home-schooling, I put many of my interests on the back burner, waiting for the day when I would have "free time". Now, the free time has arrived, and I find myself overwhelmed. I want to practice the violin, read, write, paint, sew and study German. Just listing it sounds like a full semester load in college! So what to do? My first reaction, stressing, doesn't accomplish much. I could narrow my interests and desires, but what goes? Violin? Without music I feel a void? Painting in watercolors? I lose all sense of time and space when I paint, and leave feeling satisfied. Sewing? There are so many things I can make for my family and home, and here again, there is a sense of fulfillment from completing a task? German? As stated in a previous post, studies show learning a new language enhances the brain? Argh~what to do?
Today, I did try something. After my morning walk, I sat down with my Bible for my personal study, I prayed, "Lord, what you have me do today?" I did the dishes, tidied the living room, and got my fiddle. I set a timer for 30 minutes and honed in on scales, and finger exercises. Then I did a few household chores for 10 minutes, went back to the fiddle for another 30, and then for the next 15 minute break, I got my quilt materials ready, and then went back for a final 30 minutes on the fiddle. That done, I made lunch for my husband and myself, and then quilted for an hour. Finished up the ironing that beckoned to be ironed, and worked on supper. John and I headed to Savers, because Wednesday is senior day for 25% off. I read in the car on the way over. As soon as I am done on the blog, I plan to sketch for a painting I want to do.
Now, I don't know if this will work tomorrow, but I got a lot done, and I felt the Lord guided me. Leaning on Him for everything. I may plan a schedule of things to do during the day, but I often become a slave to the schedule, which doesn't seem to rely on the Holy Spirit. God cares for us dearly, and he cares about what we do and how we do it. I learned a lot today about depending on God to help me even with time management.
For me, I have a lot of interests that I put on hold, because between the house responsibilities, the children, and home-schooling, I put many of my interests on the back burner, waiting for the day when I would have "free time". Now, the free time has arrived, and I find myself overwhelmed. I want to practice the violin, read, write, paint, sew and study German. Just listing it sounds like a full semester load in college! So what to do? My first reaction, stressing, doesn't accomplish much. I could narrow my interests and desires, but what goes? Violin? Without music I feel a void? Painting in watercolors? I lose all sense of time and space when I paint, and leave feeling satisfied. Sewing? There are so many things I can make for my family and home, and here again, there is a sense of fulfillment from completing a task? German? As stated in a previous post, studies show learning a new language enhances the brain? Argh~what to do?
Today, I did try something. After my morning walk, I sat down with my Bible for my personal study, I prayed, "Lord, what you have me do today?" I did the dishes, tidied the living room, and got my fiddle. I set a timer for 30 minutes and honed in on scales, and finger exercises. Then I did a few household chores for 10 minutes, went back to the fiddle for another 30, and then for the next 15 minute break, I got my quilt materials ready, and then went back for a final 30 minutes on the fiddle. That done, I made lunch for my husband and myself, and then quilted for an hour. Finished up the ironing that beckoned to be ironed, and worked on supper. John and I headed to Savers, because Wednesday is senior day for 25% off. I read in the car on the way over. As soon as I am done on the blog, I plan to sketch for a painting I want to do.
Now, I don't know if this will work tomorrow, but I got a lot done, and I felt the Lord guided me. Leaning on Him for everything. I may plan a schedule of things to do during the day, but I often become a slave to the schedule, which doesn't seem to rely on the Holy Spirit. God cares for us dearly, and he cares about what we do and how we do it. I learned a lot today about depending on God to help me even with time management.
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