Control What You Can Control

Have you ever felt Paralyzed?

Do you ever fell like curling up in the fetal position with the covers over your head and hiding from everything? Boy I do! Sometimes it seems there are so many decisions to be made. So many consequences of decisions already made. So many decisions I never thought I would be making in my life. I would give anything to just be left alone!
So what can I do to stop the paralysis? I cannot control everything, as much as I hate to admit that. I cannot control the outcome of every situation. What can I do to gain some footing?
First, I pray. Then I get busy. I worked retail for years (and years and years). There was a saying I learned in management. Control your controllables. So when  I start to feel overwhelmed to the point of not being able to breathe (and yes, that happens!), I make a list of everything that is weighing on me and ask "what can I control?". Sometimes there are several things I can control. Sometimes it is just one thing. But one thing is enough to pull me up out of the fetal position.
If you find yourself so overwhelmed that you cannot even think straight, try my list idea. Decide what you can control and take pride in doing it well! Participation is a key ingredient!
I can control whether I pick my children up from school on time. I cannot control whether they had a good or bad day, but I can control whether I am a part of it or not.
I can control whether I ask my husband about his day. I cannot control whether it went well, but I can control whether I am there to listen. (ok, sometimes I am in control of whether his day went well or not...)
I can control whether I call my clients back. I may not have the answer they wanted, but I can control that what I can offer is the best I have to offer.
These are a few of the controllables I can control.
This is what keeps me sane in a (at times) very insane life!
Here's to standing tall in a world that can make you want to curl up and hide!

Enjoy!
Nancy

A Dog's Life

A Dog's Life

   You can find articles everywhere- "10 ways to slow down", "Simplify for a less busy life", "how to be less busy in a busy world." How do we slow down when our lives never stop being busy?
I envy my pets. I am going nuts with 10 things on my plate at once and it never fails. I walk up on one (or all ) of them sleeping peacefully. Not a care in the world except maybe the question of who will pet them. I am worried about the business, the kids, the bills and my animals just worry about getting petted. 
   It makes me wonder - how do I take a page from their book? Could I, even if I wanted to? How do I slow down when my life and everything in it, won't?  

   I have a teenage daughter. So drama comes with the territory. I just sent my oldest off to college last month, so I worry on a daily basis since I can't see him and know where he is any more. My youngest wants to be the next Babe Ruth, but I forgot to sign him up for baseball.  I own my own business with my husband, so stress is normal. That is just the basics. Add on getting the kids to and from school and sports activities, client issues, dealing with thieves in business, maintaining a marriage/working relationship and is it any wonder I feel the need to slow down? 
   I want my dog's life. I want to be able to just take a nap when I want to. I want someone else to provide my food, shelter and love on me while I just lay there without a care in the world. Somehow, I just don't think I am going to get my wish. So I cannot have my dog's life. How can I enjoy the life I have?
That is what I want to find out. Join me.