“I no longer wear exhaustion as a badge of honor.” Brene Brown
It seems so many of the moms I talk to use different expressions to say the same thing. And it all boils down to “I’m so busy!”
Life is full. Everyone is busy. We overwork, over play, over do, over commit, over extend. And why?
Is it that important to do it all? To be everything to everyone?
Is being busy something to feel pride in?
This has been hitting home to me more and more. Especially when I hear my daughter (my FIVE year old daughter!) saying, “oh I’m so busy…I need to organize this party, call twilight (imaginary friend), make invitations.”
She is glorifying business and equating it to being important.
There are times in our life that are going to be busy. A mom with a new born and toddler can’t just decided to not feed them. Dishes still have to get done, bills still need paid, we still need clean(ish) clothes to wear. So sometimes we do have to push through and be busy.
But what message are we sending to others around us? Especially the little ones who look up to us and want to be JUST LIKE US? “If you aren’t constantly on the go your not doing enough. “If you have time to sit and relax you are lazy.” “It’s more important to cram activities in then to be still and enjoy a the breeze on our face.”
Children listen to our actions, not always our words. And while we tell them its good to be bored, and to play outside, and that they are loved and important even if they can’t do things because they aren’t big enough…if they see us acting the complete opposite, then what do you think they are going to believe?
So I want to challenge you during this season, this season that is often so busy, to take time to be still.
Find ten…or even FIVE minutes to sit and be still. No phone. No book. No distraction. To be still and contemplate. Rest, rejuvenate, renew.
Is being “busy” just a cop out? Are you using it to avoid FEELING and dealing with underlying fears, anger, neglect or grief?
Are you wearing your “busy badge” as a badge of honor that you are doing, being, or feeling important?
