by Sheri L. VanDuyn
"Time is on my side, Time is on my side..... or so the song goes! One of the biggest challenges that we are constantly facing is Time or lack of time. There never seems to be enough time in the day to accomplish everything we set out to do. Let alone, find the time to weave. So, the question is-where is the balance of time? And where do we find time to weave?
Life is just like jumping Double Dutch. Loved this when I was a young girl, jumping rope was always the fun thing to do during short recesses or lunch hour. I had really mastered the art of jumping with both ropes being turned and never seemed to skip a beat. I always knew when to jump in and when to jump out. I could jump by following the leader or jump high or low too. But sometimes, I feel both ropes are wrapped around me and I'm just stuck in the ropes, never knowing when to jump out.
So how does this happen? Life is busy, not only for me, but for everyone! My new philosophy is - "Do what you can today and then do a little more tomorrow." I am no longer knocking myself up by what I cannot get accomplished, but am focusing on what I can get done each day. I really feel that this has been working for me. I am trying to stay as much as I can in a daily routine too. But, sometimes of the year are busier than others. For me it is the month of May-which as a teacher is always busier and more hectic than December!
The school year is winding down, but for teachers seems to be in full throttle. This year is no exception! Plus, I have the added joy of having my son, Brian graduate. Countdown for Seniors started second semester. First there was the countdown to Spring Break and then there was the final countdown to the last day of classes! When the calendar turned to May, I thought I still have a lot of Art to teach them! I know that I will cover everything, but a part of me panics thinking the end is near, not only in the classroom- but also at home.
Brian has reminded me throughout the year that it was his last year in high school, last home soccer game, last homecoming, last Spring Break (although he really said that this one should not be his last one; he thinks our vacation would be too quiet without him with!) But then he also has had his last Sunday school catechism class, his last Youth Group activity, and helped in Children's Worship for the last time.
So again there is that word - TIME! One way that I have tried to recapture time is through photographs. I really have had fun scrapbooking Brian's events; I really think that if I was not that involved in the world of Basketry, I would be scrapping away. I so enjoy taking photos. (My husband reminds me on occasion that my 35 mm camera is not a movie camera!) It's like I've been there, done that, enjoyed that, photographed it - now I want to make sure that I don't forget it! Life is special and I don't want those memories to slip away, so I am busy preserving them in my scrapbook albums and having a great time doing so!
So, Brian's Open House will be here before I know it; I'll wish for more time; but I am not going to worry about this or going to graduation and blinking back the tears (OK, holding back the tears), everything comes in its own time! Then I'll regroup as much as I can this summer until I go back into full school swing again! Celebrate the firsts also and not only the lasts. Jump into life with both ropes going.
Yet, no matter what your occupation or daily activity, you've felt the time crunch. Despite all the modern conveniences and technology, time is still and always will be at a premium. The pressures can be overwhelming, robbing us of the simple joys of life. "Do not be worried about what you can do today, or what you need to do tomorrow!"
Enjoy a routine and being as organized as you can! Part of my daily routine is accomplishing what I can, praying about it, and trusting and leaving the rest up to God! Ask God each day what He wants you to accomplish, go to Him in prayer and in those quiet moments "Be Still." Listen to His voice. I know that you will be glad that you did. Then enjoy life, no matter what the stage!
"What does one really get from hard work? I have thought about this in connection with all the various kinds of work God has given. Everything is appropriate in its own time." - Ecclesiastes. 3: 10-11
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and he glad all our days." - Psalms 90:14
(616) 846-7926 * sheri@justpatterns.com