To fix or to sit

Now that a new year has kicked in, the first thing that comes to mind is to fix, fix, fix all that has accumulated from the hectic pace of the holiday season and to start anew on a clean slate. Well, as I was raring to de-clutter, organize, and fix my home, my husband (who was bedridden for five days due to stress) ordered that I sit and rest beside him. While all my children were making the most of his presence at home, I planned to take advantage of his presence by getting busy with my agenda. While I struggled to sit still, my children enjoyed drawing, playing board games, and telling stories with their daddy.  I noticed every nook and cranny in our home and all that needed to be fixed!  I had so much adrenalin that it was causing me so much stress because I had to sit. “Wow!” I thought to myself. ”What a waste of time just sitting and doing nothing.” 

I managed after a little while to get on with my agenda to get a head start with my fixing. Then, after a day of getting busy, I noticed that I still wasn’t getting anything done even if I was doing a lot of work. It was probably due to my anxiousness and failure to enjoy the moment. My husband finally asked me to sit by him again and reminded me that he longed for me to be beside him. He said that those were precious moments when I could enjoy having him around the house for an extended period of time. While he’d had wonderful exchanges with each of our children, he felt sad that he could not have the same with me because I was caught up with conquering the mess at home. All the while, I wanted to make his surroundings clean and orderly so he could rest well. Apparently, he was getting more stressed seeing me unable to relax.

Finally, I gave in and sat down.  Yes, I sat and surrendered all my worries. Then, I began to see many beautiful things I didn’t notice while I was busy, busy, busy. I had deep, quality bonding moments with each of my children and enriching times of quiet with my husband. We read books together in bed and for sometime didn’t have to say anything to each other. Because I felt one with him. I felt deeply connected in our silence and there was finally rest in my soul.

Guess what? After I was able to rest, I managed to clear up my home in less time with less stress.

So, if you are raring to go and get a head start in the new year, why don’t you sit for a while? When your soul is at rest, you will be stronger and able to do more. When you are not consumed with your agenda, you will soon realize that there is something else that matters most in life.  Then you will see the beauty that is before you, appreciate the people that you love, and be thankful for your blessings.  

* * *

E-mail me at mommytalk@businessworks.com.ph.