enroute365

Finding good (a year later)

Once again today, I beg your indulgence as I recycle stories from my archive. For today I chose one that brings me hope whenever I feel the world is out-of-control ... that reminds me to put aside my personal agenda whenever I can contribute to the greater good.

From time to time, I’ve fretted over the degree of hatred being unleashed across continents and peoples. Every day, headlines give evidence to new hostilities. But, I’ve rationalized, the stories of love and humanity don’t always get the best coverage.

Four weeks ago, however, I knew the world was in bad shape. Knew, because I’d caught one too many commentaries on TV. I didn't have to ponder; the talking heads spelled it out. Said we all knew the mess the world was in.

Maybe the moderator and panel experts were right. That’s what I believed one Saturday morning in March. And why I’m glad for the perspective of that same afternoon.

3:00 p.m. I was in a hurry. I’m always in a hurry. I had just left one event and was busily checking items off my To Do list before heading home. One last stop to pick up craft supplies.

I entered the art store with a sense of purpose and moved directly to the specialty paper section. There, I found myself stymied by choices. In the background I heard the cashier greet a customer at the counter. I held a paper up to the light, faintly aware that a monologue had begun.

“If you take the time, you'll find a silent bond that unites us.”

“Being” a friend

“Make time for people.” Hurriedly I scribble the note before the traffic light turns green. Then, ignoring my ringing cell phone I pull into the gas station.

My tank and energy level are both on “E.” On leg three of a four-hour marathon of errands, I am winding down. Stops have already included a post office, bank, credit union, clothing store, hobby store, and pharmacy. I'm now headed to the discount superstore for laundry soap and a badly needed source of caffeine.

Over the past year, I've made great strides in scheduling my priorities: household errands, business projects, time for health and fitness. But something is still missing: time for people.

Now evening, my sister calls and I give her a quarter of my attention as I finish sorting the bills. My husband arrives home from work. He'll want to talk, but I'm on a deadline. And a friend I haven't seen in months wants to meet for lunch on a day I've got a full agenda.

"Being there is something one just can't schedule."

Managing the mix

“Honey, I’ll be home by 6:30 at the latest.” I was running late and left the message on our answering machine. My husband must be working late, too. I completed the task at hand and headed home, arriving just fifteen minutes before him. Just enough time to delete his message to me.

I often think of that machine as a parrot. "Working late. Working late. Awwwwk! Working late."

Now, as I sit writing this, I wonder how I’m going to tell Frank that I’ll be finishing some work downstairs tonight instead of spending quality time with him. And I marvel that many of my friends have added children to the mix.  I can barely manage marriage, household and career, much less fitness, friends and interests. And I don’t have kids!

"I wish I could extract more life out of my work/life balance."