I could write about a million things...like how the other day at Mariano's I was reaching up to close the trunk door and sneezed...well sneezing alone makes me pee my pants so a reach and a sneeze combo is dangerous business. So I immediately ran into the car bc I was literally peeing my pants. Well, I left the trunk open so a passer byer is honking and motioning and I'm just so flustered. I get out, close the trunk and this all "put together" Mom passes me in her Volvo and I am left convinced that she would never pee her pants based solely on a sneeze or leave her trunk open while driving....it's my 500th Lucille Ball moment of the week.
Or I could write about how I was carb starving so decided to go to Dunkin Donuts for a toasted onion bagel w/ veggie cream cheese. While sitting in the front of our public library in my car waiting for my son's tutor and shoving this amazing bagel in my mouth, an always fit and friendly acquaintance of mine goes jogging past me with her golden retriever. She waves. I wipe cream cheese from my face. I wave back. Disaster.
But today I'm going to write about being a good friend. For a few years I have been less than a good friend and good sister and good daughter. Yep - all three. Not that I'm an evil doer it's just that I am horrible at what I consider staying connected...I get all wrapped up my daily life and the next thing I know, 2 months have passed and I haven't spoken to some of my dearest friends. I'm also horrible at birthdays and other acknowledgements. Mostly I think of these things after the fact...like "damn, that would have been a great card for Kristi" or "whatever happened with Stef and her family?" or "I wonder how Tara is doing since school started". I THINK these thing but I don't always act on them.... Recently Maeve's piano teacher passed away. She was such an interesting person. I couldn't help to think "why didn't I sit down, have a cup of tea and talk more with Leah". Why was in such a hurry to just drop her off and pick her up or worse, have her ride her bike. Now I know that you can't connect with eveyrone but sometimes I get so busy w/ busy work that I don't connect with anyone. Including myself. So instead of burying myself in this committee I serve on, I am turning over a new leaf...FEELING CONNECTED. Some of that has been simple fun good deeds!
I brought my home-made chili to some neighbors.
I brought a Cafe Mocha to a friend when she had a bad day.
I emailed a group of friends a "catch up" email and even followed with a call!
I met a dear friend from Wisconsin for an all day lunch and chat.
Guess what? I AM HAPPIER!!!! YES I have more time since Peter's been in school but sometimes I believe my energies have been displaced...again, not in evil work but just not in what genuinely makes me happy. It was like I was more worrried about my work with this committee than my work in my life...with my people...with myself. I wasn't aware of it - I saw it as a responsibility but now it's clear to me. Time for a change! Less of what makes me busy and more of what makes me happy! I contintue to thank Grethen Rubin for making me THINK about HAPPINESS. Bravo!
No comments:
Post a Comment