urgent
Have you ever heard the phrase "the tyranny of the urgent?" The idea behind this phrase, so I understand it, is that those things that are right in front of us seem to become the most urgent. We never get to attend to greater-good, big-picture kind of things, because all those little projects right in front of us suck up our time and energy. The urgent crowds out the important. I feel like that's where I live every minute of my days: the land of the urgent.
It's one of those days where it seems like no matter where I turn, there's something or some person that really could use my attention. Laundry to be folded, dishes to be washed, bills to be paid, kids who need stories read, owies kissed, or just a few minutes of me to listen to them.
The idea, I believe, is that you're supposed to find some way to prioritize your day, to let some things wait, to make time for what really matters. But how do you ignore the juice spilled across the table, the kid howling in the back yard, the empty drawers with no clean underwear in them for tomorrow? You don't. You can't. You jump in and take care of them. Because they're urgent.
If anybody figures out a way to tend to the important without sacrificing the urgent, let me know.
It's one of those days where it seems like no matter where I turn, there's something or some person that really could use my attention. Laundry to be folded, dishes to be washed, bills to be paid, kids who need stories read, owies kissed, or just a few minutes of me to listen to them.
The idea, I believe, is that you're supposed to find some way to prioritize your day, to let some things wait, to make time for what really matters. But how do you ignore the juice spilled across the table, the kid howling in the back yard, the empty drawers with no clean underwear in them for tomorrow? You don't. You can't. You jump in and take care of them. Because they're urgent.
If anybody figures out a way to tend to the important without sacrificing the urgent, let me know.
6 comments:
My opinion, for what it matters :), is that as a mother of young children, the urgent IS the important. As much as I would like to get "more" done with my life, I have to keep reminding myself that the laundry and the spilled juice, and the stories and hugs just over-all mother-love ARE what's important!
Well said Alison. And Jen, I always enjoy reading about all the "important" things that you get done, on top of the urgent stuff. Your reading and writing and gardening and jam-making and being a good friend and keeping up on Buffy=)are all important and fun. When we are in the midst of the urgent, the days don't always feel very productive. Yet, still, you are creating a beautiful life for your family.
SO TRUE. And to think that it could be reversed when we become middle-aged empty nesters... we'll look back and long for those little needy kiddos that required so much urgent attention. HA!
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For me I have to reduce time spent on the unimportant, like watching to much T.V. And I do miss the pitter patter of little feet in the house, luckily I can have the girls stay overnight.
nana
I agree with Alison. It is very important to nurture our children and see to the drudgery of everyday. Because the Bible tells us to "live quietly"; sometimes that can have the biggest effect.
Thanks for the perspective, friends.
Heather, I do really love the quote you have on your blog: "The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children."
I also have some gorgeous pictures in my kitchen of simple things like a floor being swept, dishes being washed, etc., to remind myself that there is beauty in the everyday...and yet I often struggle with thinking that there IS anything significant or important about folding one more load of laundry.
Maybe I am need of a lesson here: my dishwasher broke within hours of writing this post. I will have so much time to contemplate the significance of the everyday as I handwash all my dishes :)
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