There's a lot I don't like about this month besides the cold and snow. It's short. Less days to do all the things I want to do and need to do. Just looking at my Old Farmer's Almanac leaves me a little frazzled, and I'm not a frazzling kind of person. Generally I thrive on multi-tasking, over-scheduling and too many commitments with not enough time. Did I over do this month? Actually, did I over extend myself for the entire year? I worried about it a bit all through January.
Then two days ago, a family friend died unexpectedly. He'd had health issues he'd ignored and not followed his doctor's advice, but he was the same age as my husband. It stunned not only my husband, but my children who appreciated and enjoyed this kind man's jovial presence and support. The world lost a bit of brightness.
And now I'm not worried about all those obligations as much as I was. I know I can handle it all and I'm not going to ruin my time stressing about it. I have more things to worry about like the health and safety of my family and friends. Time with them is time well spent. Writing is my job and all the networking things I do to strive for success are part of it. But it's not the most important thing. My advice this month is that if you're going to stress, make sure it's over the right things.
Beside prioritizing, another way I've taken some of the workload off my shoulders is to host some very interesting guests on my blog. This Friday, Dianna Gunn, Promotions Specialist for Musa Publishing will have a guest post. More wonderful guests will follow during the rest of the month.
I still need some minion helpers for The A to Z Blogging Challenge. I hope you've signed up. If you have and you would like to improve your exposure even more, please think about being my helper. It's pretty easy. I give you a small number of blogs to visit each week and visit them at least once to make sure they're following the rules and participating.
The Warrior and The Governor is doing well since it hit Amazon. Today I should finish up reading through the galley for Keepers of Sulbreth. The book is being reissued later this month by Musa Publishing. My WIP is on the back burner for the last few days.
Do you like February? (This question not directed to my friends in Florida and California. Do not under any circumstances tell me in the comments how it was 80 in your neck of the woods today.) Do you want to be a minion helper? Are you stressing over things you shouldn't? Is there something good you're stressing over?
45 comments:
Sometimes we need something to happen to put our lives into perspective, and remind us that it's not the end of the world if we don't get as much done as we wanted to, so long as we're healthy and happy.
Sorry for your loss. Some things really put our life in focus.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I've had a year of losing several friends, some younger than myself that put life in perspective.
Your advice is spot on. ...if you're going to stress, make sure it's over the right things.
I'm sorry you lost a close friend. That does put things in perspective.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Susan. I think being busy with the "right" things is key, as is living on purpose, which is/looks different to everyone.
And keeping my lips zipped re the weather here in FL. :)
So sorry about your loss.
If it makes you feel better, I've over-extended.
And it's freezing here.
It's hard to lose someone who is young and should still be with you if all was right in this world. Sorry.
As to Feb. I'm in CA and, of course, I understand why you don't ask us. :-)
Sorry you lost your friend. Things like that definitely make one reevaluate one's priorities. I hope you can find a balance.
IWSG #143 until Alex culls the list again.
Im very sorry for your loss, Susan. My heart goes out to you and yours, as well as the family of your lost friend.
I'd love to help out this year, by the way! randi.lee@mail.com
I'm so sorry for your loss! Hugs!!
Stress is a big killer, best to let that go. Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Life always has a way of putting things in perspective.
I don't play the A/Z game, but hope you get your helpers.
I love winter (ducks as she types this comment).
Such an eyeopener when someone we know passes away. I love that these moments really allow us to revisit our priorities and get our heads on straight. =)
Perspective has found its way into our house this week for sure.
Thanks so much.
I know you've had lots of your own stress going on. It seems to come in waves instead of steady trickles.
It's always sad but the unexpected provides its own little shock.
LOL. You still had to mention Florida.
I can't even imagine what over-extended is for you, Alex. Freezing in your state isn't the norm, is it?
If only everything could be right in the world.
Thanks, Melissa. I'll be around to #143 today or tomorrow.
Oh, you lovely person. You are getting an email from me later today. Thank you by bunches and bunches.
Thanks, Chrys.
Stress will get us all at some points. Perspective is my goal for the next few weeks.
I just threw a snowball at you.
As busy are you are, Crystal, I'm sure you work on having those priorities as they must be.
Hello there.
Please accept my condolences. None of us can escape the plague of old age, sickness and death. However, knowing that we or our loved ones no longer suffer when we die is especially comforting. Reading and delving into the Bible has also put death in a new perspective for me. I hope you don't mind if I direct your attention to these particular scriptures: Ecclesiastes 9:5; John 5: 28, 29 and Acts 24:15. Thank you for sharing. I'm just stopping by briefly as I try to navigate the twists and turns of the 2014 A-Z Road Trip.
Entrepreneurial Goddess
Good luck with all your projects... And a belated thank you for the comment you left on Cate Masters blog last October about my upcoming book (the story was inspired by anelderly woman who knitted under her bed)! Better late than never!
Stress can break us down really fast, so we need to be careful. It helps to learn how to do muscle relaxing exercises and deep breathing. Just the loss of a dear friend is enough to upset our minds and bodies. My condolences to you and your family, Susan.
Thanks for stopping by today. Erin.
It's been a stressful week for all kinds of reasons around our house. Keeping thinking if we just get through this month... And if I could only go outside for a jog or even a long walk.
I'm sorry you lost your friend. No matter what, there's just not enough time with the people you care about.
I'll sign up to be one of your minions. How fun!
I'm ashamed to admit this but we spend our Februarys in Mexico and I dread that the winter's half over and we go home in April. I appreciate where I am and how warm it is. And then I feel guilty until I remember we worked many hard years for this privilege. Yes, it's a different kind of stress, worrying about what the rest of the north is stuck with: winter.
I'm sorry about your friend. There's nothing like a death or a serious illness to make you look at your life in a different way. I'm glad The Warrior and The Governor is doing well. Hope it keep up! For minions, I found I didn't get enough volunteers until I started contacting individuals who frequented my blog. Good luck with that!
I'm sorry you lost a friend. This does put things in perspective. Stress has been my friend all week and I finally asked him to leave ;) Time to focus on the importance of family and friends.
Congrats on TWTG, may it keep selling like hotcakes. Or starbucks, cause I need a starbucks right now
One day at a time.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
Keep moving forward.
Heather
Oh Susan, I'm so sorry about your friend. I'll be thinking of you.
And yes, I've HAD IT with snow and cold. February has always been my least favorite month, unfortunately. But, as per your advice, I'll try not to stress about it, since it really isn't what matters!
Thought that was you :-)
Hey Susan, it was like 80... oops. sorry wasn't supposed to say that :)
Very sorry to hear about your friend... it must really have been a shock to all concerned, but it's good to know you've been able to take even a small positive from this.... life really is too much of a gift for us to squander it over the "little stuff."
Thanks - *as always* - for stopping by and here's to a good month - for all of us:)
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. It's terrible when we get this sort of wake up call. I typically dislike January more than February. By the second month we get more light and I can see spring inching up on us. That said, with all our snow, this year may be the exception.
I'm sorry you lost your friend. Sadly, sometimes we need these things to serve as a wake up call in prioritizing our own lives.
I can deal with February. It's short and leads to the doorway to spring.
So sorry about your friend. Those events do rock us and make us re-evaluate, don't they? Sending hugs to your family.
February is the heart of winter here - it can be gorgeous some days and truly hideous other days. Our snowbank off the driveway is currently higher than the truck and it was -35 this morning - but sunny! And that makes it a good day :)
I'm so sorry about your friend - sending hugs and prayers.
I am a bit under a mountain of "work" of both writing and teaching (grading papers), but I'm also under a forced bit of rest, so I am taking time with my family and friends. My kids and I are also looking forward to a much-needed midwinter break in another 9 days or so . . .
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. You're so right, something like that can really put everything else into perspective. Take care!
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend :( But glad you are using it as an experience to help refocus yourself.
I do generally like February. But February has my date'iversary with my husband, and Valentine's Day, and my birthday, so.. It's basically a whole month of chocolate for me :) Nothing not to love!
Also, you said FL and CA ppl couldn't say anything about the weather, but we've been astonished here in CO lately - it was 72 degrees yesterday! Totally not normal for Feb, but appreciated :)
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