Le Mars Daily Sentinel

A revolution before breakfast

Posted Monday, October 1, 2007, at 11:59 AM
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Toothbrush. Where's my toothbrush.

Invariably, that's the first thought that starts to grump its way around my brain after Diana Krall's jazz on my alarm clock wakes me up each morning.

But not long after that, it's a literal stampede of things: Iron that skirt? Breakfast. Groceries today. Stupid hair. Glasses, where are you? Need to make eye appointment. Oh, and oil change. How am I going to finish that news story? Oh shoot, birthday card for dad. And speaking of birthdays, brother's gift is still on the floor for his birthday a month ago. Where's my other shoe? I could probably find it if I could only find my glasses. Ow, that's the door. Need to pay rent. And utilities. And balance the checkbook.

It's a wonder I make it to the car each morning. And I don't even have kids.

A friend recently asked what it would take to start the day with quiet time rather than the rush.

Short of quitting my job, running over my cell phone and moving to Tahiti with no forwarding address, I don't honestly know.

Is this who we have to be, America? Always running at top speed? And feeling guilty if we (for 45 seconds) are not? I'm not sure we can entirely blame "our culture" for making us run this rat race. After all, who perpetrates a culture but the people in it?

The same friend challenged me to simply take one thing out of my day to find that spot for quiet. I'm not sure what's going to go, yet.

Rest assured, though, I will keep hunting down my glasses before I drive.

Comments
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Hi,

First off, don't run over your cell phone. Shut it off for an hour or two.

Things used to spin in my head too. That was a terrible feeling for me and I am certain it is for you.

Until I decided to sit down and make a day things list. Sounds like you need to make a before bed list AND a day things list.

The before bed list would remind you to check off things you completed on your day things list, get your clothes ready for tomorrow, put your toothbrush away, and put your glasses next to where the Diana Krall jazz comes out of every morning.

The next morning when the jazz comes on (maybe change to Dionne Farris) get up, put your glasses on, and go have breakfast. While you munch on your Corn Chex look over your day list and pick some things that will be nice to check off before bed, get ready, brush your teeth, and go to work. You get the idea. Something else I would ask you to consider. You are blessed you CAN do things. Enjoy your blessings. Be thankful that you can drive, that you can have your eyes checked, that your father is living, and that your brother knows your gift is never on time but he still loves you.

It'll be OK.

Take care

-- Posted by dansmith on Mon, Oct 1, 2007, at 9:16 PM

There are many days that I feel exactly that way in the morning except that for me I can never find my keys ;) We could write and fill up a whole publication on the sentinel on what the reasons are for this need to ALWAYS be able to do everything. And at the end of the day smile and say that was fun let's do it again tomorrow! I agree that we need to be thankful for the ability to do things, however is that we are really here to do? To compete with the Jones's. Just because you have more toys doesn't mean you are happy, successful or even likable if there is no time left for you to enjoy life. How can you have a sincere friendship, marriage or relationship with others when you have 800 other things running through your head. Maybe the answer is to want less, such as a used car instead of new, or a house just big enough for the family w/out having to hire a maid to clean or spend what little free time you have cleaning it yourself. Maybe the answer is that as a society we need to so NO! ENOUGH! I want my life to mean something more than worrying that I didn't get everything done that others expect me to get done. Let's face it, no matter where we are in our lives we will feel, rushed, pushed, unappreciated and underpaid. So..... what is the benefit of doing everything?

-- Posted by sapphire on Mon, Oct 1, 2007, at 10:17 PM

Yes, Magdalene, don't stub your foot on the door!

-- Posted by donmcd on Wed, Oct 3, 2007, at 1:52 PM