Life plugs along as it should. The empty spaces of free
time get filled up with work, family, obligations. It’s not a bad thing, it’s a
life thing.
Not that I mind any of that. I like my job. I love my family,
and well, obligations are obligations. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
But sometimes you are forced to step back. Take a
breather. Play hooky from work, ditch the family, and make an obligation or two
just about yourself for a change.
Last weekend was spent with an old friend who unexpectedly
crashed at my house. Initially I thought it was going to be a pain. I’m too busy for friends (and fun
apparently). I don’t have time for this. I have to do blah, blah, blah, blah
- Was what my stupid inner voice was nagging at me.
My inner voice dictated and filed this as “Obligation.”
Boy was she wrong.
My weekend was spent drinking too much and laughing until
tears were in my eyes. Many times over the course of his stay.
We had so much fun. I realized that I felt that I had forgotten what fun was like. Or that I'm really good at having fun. Or that maybe I had forgotten how good I feel after I've had that much fun. My brain has was charged. My body is relaxed.
I am a firm believer that if life is starting to take
over, squishing the sparkle of life out – you MUST take care of your soul.
For me it is good food, laughter, inappropriate behavior,
and cutting loose.
Cut those work tendrils that are still snaked around your
brain even though you’re not there. Learn to say “no.” Don’t answer the phone.
Let the machine pick up. If there’s an emergency, sure, take care of it. But really,
how often is there death or fire? Thankfully in my life, not too.
Make sure YOU are an obligation. Treat yourself to
whatever floats your boat. Take care of you before you forget how to do that.
ps. Mr. Brown
