In the rush of the everyday- the to-do lists, the people to see, the hills to climb- some things get accomplished and other things fall to the back burner... simmering slowly... or rapidly boiling over so that they may finally grab our attention.
I recently had a conversation with a fellow over-achiever about the art of actually slowing things down a bit in order to accomplish more. If I am being brutally honest, she is the over-achiever. I am merely an over-scheduler. I tend to get excited about one project, and then another, add a third, and so on until my task list looks like Santa's delivery schedule.
This time of year, beginning in October and through to January 2nd, will really throw my kind for a loop. In a hurry to accomplish everything. Actually accomplishing very little. This leaves a body feeling a little stressed, a little depressed, and not in a celebratory spirit at all.
I began thinking about our TLC Tuesday segments and how it is necessary to care for yourself if you are going to properly serve and care for others.
(Our TLC Tuesdays have been on the back burner for a bit...slowly simmering.)
Then I started thinking that it would be wise to write about this very thing in a blog post... to remind you lovely folks that, despite all that needs to get done in the next few weeks before the debut of 2022, you do not have to take on everything.
(This blog... boiling over on the back burner...spilling to the floor.)
So I come to you now with three bits of advice to carry you through the next few weeks:
1. Do what you can and forget the rest of the list.
Some things matter. Some things do not.
Put your 3 most important goals at the top of your list.
Set the priority based on family, work, or service.
Remember that you do not have to be all things to all people.
2. Spend at least an hour each day doing something that soothes your soul.
Again, it is necessary to care for yourself if you are going to properly serve and care for others.
Make time for tea.
Pray or meditate.
Read, watch a comedy, paint, cuddle a pet, or do literally anything that is legal that brings joy.
My over-achieving colleague suggested a book.
Calm Christmas by Beth Kempton

It is available to borrow here at the Vienna Public Library.
I will be reading it soon.
3. Don't be afraid to say, "No, thank you."
One meaningful, relaxing gathering with people you care about will be far more memorable than 4 hurried conversations at 4 different events with 4 half-eaten plates of food and an exhaustion that will be hard to recover from.
Again, you do not have to be all things to all people.
Spend time with and love the special people in your life who will love you back.
Make memories.
Life is short.
Slow down.
Enjoy.