"Don't Give Up, It's Just the Weight of the World"

I love Josh Groban. Seriously. I wish I had another sister that was still single to marry him because I would love to be related to him. Don't worry, I wouldn't trade either of my brothers-in-law. They are awesome. Anyway, the title is from a Josh Groban song if you're a little lost. I think it's on the sidebar, if you'd like to listen.

The thing is, that line often strikes a chord with me. Because I feel overwhelmed and burdened down a lot. Well, sometimes a lot. I kind of go through phases. Sometimes my life just feels very full. Some bad, some good--just a lot of it. And I find myself wanting to drop the kids off at my parents' house, grab HH and get out of town. Basically, I want to hide. But I don't because I know that everything I ran away from would still be here waiting when I got back.

And because HH has to work because someone has to pay the bills around here. And because my parents have the audacity to actually have lives of their own and aren't just sitting around waiting for me to drop off their precious grand kids at a moments notice. But those things don't bother me because I'm grown up and I would never seriously want to run away from my troubles. No siree, not me.

Anyway, so what does work when things are overwhelming for you?

When it's a bunch of stuff I can fit on my to-do list, it usually energizes me and I have a very productive day or week where I get everything done. And then I'm a little tired at the end, but if I've written it all down and have a long list of crossed off items, it totally feels worth it. Does anyone else write things on their to-do list that they've already done, just so they can cross something off?

But sometimes the "stuff" in my life doesn't really work on a to-do list. Sometimes it's something on-going or part of a long process or really it's someone else's problem so I have no control, but I'm worried about them. You know that kind of stuff? How do you get out from under it when it's still there?

A friend of mine is so busy taking care of her seriously ill mom that she doesn't have any time for herself or her family. Where and how do you draw the line?

One thing that I think is very important is to take care of yourself. When I'm tired and/or sick, I get overwhelmed a lot easier. I'm tired and sick right now, so you can guess why I'm writing this post! So, even though I know that, sometimes I still have a hard time taking care of myself the way I know I need to. There's just so much to do!

How do you go from knowing you need to take care of you to actually doing it?

And what about that stuff that is on-going? You know those things that take time, but not your full attention or energy? Stuff that you maybe just have to work on once a week or once a month, a little here and there? I'm not good with stuff like that. I just like to get things over and done with. I have a hard time staying focused. So, I either forget to do those things or get very frustrated and resentful of them. How do you stay organized and focused with that kind of stuff?

What about the stuff that really belongs to someone else? Like when someone is sick or going through a hard time, but they live across the country from you? Or what about when someone is making really bad choices in their life? And you don't have any control! How do you handle that?

The one thing I am so grateful for is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that through prayer miracles happen. I know that He can take the burden of stress and worry from me if I can let go of it. But sometimes that is really hard! It seems like it should be so simple, but it's not. At least not for me. I have experienced the fulfillment of His promise though. I have prayed for help in bearing my burdens and felt and immediate relief and peace. But it's still a challenge for me to let go sometimes. Does anyone else struggle with this?

I think it's because sometimes I confuse myself into believing that by stressing over someone or something I am somehow helping. It is obviously not helpful, but it's hard in those instances where there isn't really anything I can do. But if I stay stressed then at least I'm thinking about it. ??? I don't know.

I do know that it really boils down to the power of prayer. I can pray for myself and for anyone else I'm worried about. And even though it seems like such a simple thing, that is most often the greatest thing I can do.

But I know I can't just pray all my worries and stresses away. And like I said in the beginning, it's not all bad stuff, so I wouldn't want to pray it away anyway. I just need to figure out how to handle all of it. How do you find peace amidst a full life? How do you organize your day so that you are accomplishing what you need to when you need to? How do you remember to take care of you? How do you stay focused on those things that take time, but not your full energy?

How enjoy the fullness of your life instead of getting buried under it?

It looks like I have more questions than answers this time. Please, don't lose faith in me. I'm just struggling a little today. And really, I know that I'm no more an expert at all of this any of the rest of you. I'm excited to read your advice and help. It's like I said, I'm tired and sick. But I'm pretty sure I'll be heading to bed early tonight (especially since I'm posting this so early!) and I know I'll be doing much better tomorrow. Tomorrow is vacuuming day and I always feel better when my carpets are clean!