Play First!

Morning Play Time
Right on the table--complete with Salt & Pepper
and a Green Smoothie for breakfast!

I "remembered" something a couple weeks ago.  A very important something.  Something that I need to not forget again. 

Any idea what I'm talking about?

How to play. 

Crazy, huh?  Yeah, well forgetting to play will make you (and most likely those around you) a little crazy.  Can I get an Amen?  (family all nodding in unison)

Here's how it goes with me. 
I'm the first-born, overachieving, driven, type A kind of person.  (makes you want to run right over, doesn't it?!)  It's easy for folks like me to get so caught up in crossing things off the (never-ending) list, that we miss playing and having fun altogether.  (guilty as charged)

For over a year I have been driven by some hateful little demon (you've seen the pictures of the devil sitting on a person's shoulder?) that told me this lie:  "if you just work a little harder for a little longer, you'll get all this stuff done and have time to play and do the stuff you really want to do."  I believed it.  IT'S A LIE!

Working without taking time to rest and play will drain your very soul.  Crossing things off the list will become empty.  Sorrow and mean-spiritedness will take up residence in your heart.  Don't take this path!  It's no fun.  If you are on this path called WorkWorkWork, turn back!  You really can turn around.

How did I see the light?  I awoke one morning and felt like crying about all that "needed" to be done.  And I felt like crying the night before, too, because I really wanted to work on a quilt, but was completely out of energy.  That was my cycle.  I thought that stitching at end of the day was my reward for hard work.  But I never got to the end of what I thought had to be done to get my "reward"....and if I did, I was simply too tired to claim the prize.  Sad, huh?

So what's the answer? 
Play First!

Moving forward with a UFO.
Some of the colors aren't reading right in this picture,
but I need to  find a better answer for outer border cornerstones.
Trying not to get uptight about it--
Progress is better than Perfection!

I do set a timer so that I don't Play All Day (family still needs to be fed, don't-cha know?!)  The timer helps me relax and fully enjoy the time that I have.

Some interesting discoveries with the Play First plan:
1.  My whole day is brighter.
2.  I still get lots of things done on The List!
3.  My positive, creative energy is contagious to the rest of the household as they begin their day. 
4.  Most days I'm able to claim the Reward at the end of the day and sew some more!! 
5.  I'm excited to get out of bed (and don't feel like crying!)  Hooray!

Please refer me to this post if I return to my cranky, driven, workaholic self.  (I tend to be a slow learner and am often required to repeat the lessons of life.)

many blessings,
pam


May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.         1Thessalonians 5:23-24