After a short break away from home and my routine, I have returned to wonder about the validity of my usual daily existence. After being totally emersed in another way of life, mainly caring for my little grands with ALL my time being taken up with their needs, I am a little bit disoriented this morning. My time at home is consummately given to myself!
My usual routine is to get up late, go to the computer with a cup of hot tea (or occasionally coffee) to see what might have occurred during the night hours in my online shops. (If you are not interested the tedium of day, skip down to the next paragraph.) I read several of my favorite threads to see what my blog friends are up to, read blogs and do my morning "maintenance." Many of my friends have wondered how I keep up with three online shops and two blogs while still being so creative. Well, it involves my morning maintenance where I check what listings have expired, what is trending on the activity thread, what of my items has been favored, what has sold that I need to package up, and generally do an overview of my shop to see what might need to be fixed or changed. (I did this for all three of my shops, now for two, since I closed one of them on Feb 10th.) Yes, this takes a while, but must be done. the middle part of the day was devoted to creativity, house upkeep, meals and more creativity, including listing new items. After supper, I would usually relax in my easy chair to a couple of TV shows and doing some handwork i.e. cutting fabric, embroidery and pressing my work. In between all of this was time taken for blogging, sometimes in the mornings, and sometimes at night, depending on when the inspiration hit me. This also does not mention time taken for photography which is essential to online selling and blogging!
So much for my routine, so back to my thoughts. I wonder about my effectiveness. I have already raised my family, hence the giving of my time to another person's well being is not a part of my typical day, except for the things that I do for my husband, but he's pretty self-sufficient! I spend time on my own desires, and creativity. Hubby is happy to let me do this, but I think sometimes that I should be contributing more to the family budget. I do contribute a little, from my online businesses, but not that much. Most of my earnings go back into creativity supplies, and the circle starts over. Therefore . . . how am I effective?
As this is the Lenten* season, it is the time to consider habits and routines to see if they are indeed beneficial. It occurs to me that all this doing for myself is like a hobby turned into primary priority. I think I need a little balance to all this! Thus the question becomes:
What can I do to add a real lasting benefit to someone's life at this stage in my own life?
I know this is a heady question, but I just thought I would let y'all know what I was thinking . . . during this Lenten* season.
*Lent or Lenten season: Lent is a time to prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repenting, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.
Providing unique custom handcrafted promotional products for upsell profits and to extend your brand through embroidered & logo products.
8 comments:
It really is all the little things you do for others, that maybe you didn't mention here, that makes you so effective. Actually you did mention it in that you went away to take care of your grandchildren (which is really a BIG thing)!! I too ponder the same things you do sometimes and I have to remember about the little things.....
I agree with Annmarie. As women we sometimes forget our contribution is sometimes bringing comfort and joy to others. Effectiveness isn't measured in dollars, some of the greatest contributions to a family can't be bought. :)
I'm struggling with some of these same issues. I certainly agree with AnnMarie that time caring for grandchildren is a BIG thing. Read some positive feedback from customers to affirm the worth of what you do.
I've considered tithing my sewing time/fabric -- to make ConKerr Cancer pillowcases, Project Linus quilts, or quilts for the homeless -- but I'm afraid the "little things" and lists longer than days have kept me from doing that. I've also considered rationing time at the computer.
My grandmother, who is a lot older than you, voices the same question to me when I visit. My younger sister once told her that her purpose was 'to be a grandmother' to her! My grandmother has decided her main usefulness lies in helping one of her sons raise his own son. My 'little' cousin is in 9th grade now and his mother passed three years ago. His dad was let go from a long time job just a little while ago, too! It's a tough time for my cousin (and uncle) and it's a good thing he has a grandmother very near by. I'm not saying something like that is bound to happen to your family, but this cousin is a lot younger than several of us grand kids, so my grandmother had to wait a while for him to come along and need assistance.
One of the wonderful things (if not the most wonderful) about having raised a family and being grandparent age with an (almost) empty nest, is : there's time to just sit with the Lord - and see what He's up to, what He might want to do today, to pray for the things on His agenda.........
Your routine sounds a lot like mine. Computer work in the morning, creativity/household chores in the afternoon and quite work in front of the TV at night.
And like you, I only have myself to look after...Jesse does a pretty good job on his own :)
But I do wonder from time to time if I should be spending my time doing other things and spending more time with my family.
I hope this time of reflection brings you some answers.
you are making items that other people need. I see that as being productive! {:-D
There are lots of seemingly "little" things that reflect value in a life. Those ripples of love and kindnesses can reach very far.
Post a Comment