Before we go any further, we need to identify some truths about living well — three truths, in fact. You might want to sit down … this first one might come as a shock to one or two of you but here goes …
Seriously, my friends, I mean it. You can’t be mom of the year, best wife, awesomest room mom, favorite employee, and most fabulous church worker … you just can’t. It’s impossible to do everything.
IM.
POSS.
I.
BLE.
If we’re going to live well and experience the abundant life God desires for us, we have to accept our limits. We only have 24 hours in a day. We only have two hands. We only have so much focus. We can only do so much. That’s just the way it is, baby. {Did you hear me singing?}
As much as I want to be able to say “yes” to everything, to be the best at everything, and to give my all to everyone, I can’t. And neither can you.
So, there you have it —
Living Well Truth #1: You CAN’T do it all.
And you know what, it’s okay! In fact it’s better than okay — because there is great freedom in understanding our limits and even in embracing them.
Now, you tell me, do YOU struggle with trying to do it all?
Come back tomorrow as we explore the second truth of living well. And, if you haven’t go ahead and subscribe to make sure you receive each day’s post in your inbox. See you tomorrow!
Oh and all my 31 Days of Living Well posts will indexed here. Just in case you want to bookmark that page for easy reference. 🙂
This is hard for me. I tend to think it’s not, because as an introvert, I have no problem saying no to others. But when it comes to saying no to one of my own ideas or projects? Well, that’s impossible. Does that make me selfish too? Ugh. I am learning how to be honest about my time management and putting my family first. So hard. Harder than i thought it would be!
I totally understand, Kayse! I don’t think it makes you selfish … it is just hard to learn when to say “no” even to ourselves. {Which is probably the reason I have more unfinished projects than completed ones …}
Oh…you are so right…but…that is so hard sometimes…just to say no. I am realizing my co-dependency problem more & more as I dig deeper into study. Just praying for God’s guidance in dealing with things. My plate is so full & I just want to “do it all” but it just doesn’t work that way. I am trying to learn to set my priorities. I don’t want to make people (especially family & close friends) mad, but sometimes it can’t be helped…I also realize that they have a choice on their reaction to my “no”…they can either get made or understand. It is up to Them!
I wish someone had told me this years ago as a working mom. I wanted people to think I could work full time and do everything all the non-working mothers could do. I just about killed myself. I still have trouble saying no to myself when I want so many things done. Thank you Teri for confirming what we already know but don’t practice .
Breathing in and out slowly as I read this. Today is yet another day where my to-do list is out of control. Saying no and settling limits is something I need to get WAYYY better at. I hope you will be coaching us HOW to do that 😉