I am grateful for the 'time and space' bubble that I am in right now.  In September when JJ went back to school, I filled my days with tasks and to do lists.  I crossed items off all day long.  I was productive.  However, after a few weeks of that, I noticed that my days were feeling full, but not meaningful.  It was time to revamp - this is after all, "This Year."

  "This Year" is about finding balance, reprioritizing, enjoying life, taking care of my family and friends.  I don't want it to end without having done some of that!

  Here's what my second try looks like:

  I still have lists, but they are a bit  more open ended.  For example each Monday is: take care of our family day.  This could include cooking, grocery shopping, scrubbing the toilets, doing laundry, etc.  Instead of approaching the day with tasks to do, I am looking at it as a care-taker of the two people I love the most.  It's amazing how this has shifted my thinking as I finish the same actions as before.  Even sweeping the floor is enjoyable, because of this new mindset.  I turn on some dance tunes and groove the dirt right out of this house, all for the sake of loving my family (plus dirt on the floors really bugs me!).

  I wonder if this is how humans were created?  Were we made to be this intentional?  Is it over-board?  Am I taking this thing too far?  Truth be told, I'm worried about becoming 'soft'.  Teaching is a difficult, emotionally-draining job.  What if I become so intentional that I can't just 'get a job done'?  Not to mention, I kind of like crossing off tasks on to-do lists!

 The gift of time and space finds me with fresh energy to wonder, learn and grow.  I am thankful.