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Hints of Summer

May 15, 2014

By Tineke Ziemer

May 16^th, 2014

turning over a new leaf

I read a quote recently posted by a new friend (thanks TK!) that made me laugh and nod and think seriously about turning over a new leaf! The quote said something like this: we set our OWN goals with a deadline that WE choose and then if we don’t meet it we FREAK OUT thinking we’re not good enough! Not good enough for WHO? We are the ones who set the goal and made up the deadline in the first place!

Man, I could relate to that! I’m a pretty type A personality and I love schedules and lists and deadlines - they make me so happy! There is nothing better than crossing stuff off lists, like seriously! So I chuckled at the quote because I knew it was totally talking about me. But it did make me think about my life and I had to admit, most of these deadlines I stress myself out about are all put there by none other than me-myself-and I. And humbly, I have to admit that if -heaven forbid- I take a little longer to get the project done, NO ONE IS GOING TO DIE!

That is actually a novel concept for me. Sometimes I think the rest of the world must be hanging on the edge of their seat just waiting to see if I make my deadline, when in truth, I’m probably the only one who notices. So the past few days I’ve been attempting to live this way. I’ve been a bit more relaxed with my work projects - which means I’m quitting at 9pm instead of midnight! And I’m taking a few minutes to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. And I even took time tonight to have a mother-daughter date with Mikayla. We had a brownie. Which breaks another goal of mine to go sugar-free (what a rebel! See what happens, give me an inch, I’ll take a mile! I’m going to be out of control now!) I even accepted the possibility that my current book project might go to press late.

Thought for the Day

While I am still obsessed with getting projects done and crossing off lists, I’m accepting the fact that LIVING is more important. I’m taking time for life. I’m breathing in the hints of summer that are lingering in the air tonight. I’m taking the pressure of my own made-up ideals off my shoulders and letting them float away on the spring breeze. That’s it! I’m turning over a new leaf - I’m determined to stick with it.