Timing it

Ah- the good ole days of rushing to work. Meetings, presentations, computers, lab, reports... boy did I love that! And the tools of the trade: laptops, calendars, appointment book, software, candy machine- oh... well- candy machine, scanners, printers and MORE, MORE, MORE! [LOL] As you have guessed (or already knew) I was a System Admin before fate struck a blow to my midsection, while I was protecting my face! ~don't cha' love a metaphor~

But sorry- I'm getting myself all worked up here and will be sorely disappointed when I finally realize that that is not part of my 'world' at the moment. Actually that isn't completely true; I do use a computer (obviously)- my world-of-wonders Alienware Laptop [hee hee hee- had to throw that in at some point didn't I?] And I do have a multi-machine sitting only a few feet away from me. Aaaand- there is a calendar here... somewhere. Alas, there is not a candy machine located on the property but I do have a snack stash in the cubby just above that multi-machine! [wink]

So- where is this all going? You just never know with me, do you? Time-management, proprieties, self-worth and home/family productivity. You know- the biggies.

Schedules aren't just for the busy, healthy or working. It can be for anyone- at any time in their life. In my own situation someone might wonder, "What the heck does she need a schedule for?" Hey- none of your busin- oh... I mean- I'm glad the question came up. I can share my reasons and some of what my 'schedule' is like and hopefully help and encourage someone else as well.

First of all, my schedule is 80-90% therapeutic and the other percent could be considered for productive purposes.

We all need to feel like we are doing something... at least I do. To feel like we have purpose or input; feel like there is more to our day (in the case of someone who is ill, sick, confined to bed or depressed- or perhaps simply is a stay-at-home for whatever reason) than waking up, taking meds, TV, eating and what have you. I remember thinking at one time, "Is this all there is?" "What am I doing with the day?"

And here is what I came up with. Now before I go further I will confess-

Oh no, purging time again-

... that of late I haven't stayed strictly with my self-imposed schedule. But sometimes things happen, so I gave myself permission and overlooked it! [wink] But I made up a list of things I like to do and things I can do- am able to do and so-on.

The list included things like:

• Personal Hygiene
  
• Stretching
• Prayer
• Sims game
• Painting
  
• Webkinz game
• Journal
• Reading / Watching the News

When I finished my list, I noted what was or should be or could be daily, what could be once a week, what could be a few times a week, etc... Then I created a schedule for myself. Something to look forward to and give me purpose when I felt (like I do sometimes) I needed it; value that is. Thinking to myself now, I'm sure there were those who heard me say, "I don't play Sims until night" wondered what I meant. Or heard me answer "No- I don't watch movies during the day." But on my schedule- Sims play (if I am physically up to it) doesn't take place until after 9 pm. Webkinz takes place between 8-9 am. News in the form of cnn live online or yahoo news is each day from 2-3 pm. Movie time or favorite shows to watch (for me any way) doesn't happen until after kids go to their rooms for the night or bed. Painting is twice a week and well- you get the idea.

Through out the day I have things I know I'm going to do. Through out the week, I know there are activities to look forward to, projects to work on.

Ask yourself: Do I feel like I'm doing something during the day? Am I feeling as if my day- my time meant something today? Even during the times when I am totally down... I do what I can that comes up. I can still watch the news, I can still pray, I can still do my journal little by little. The day I can't paint- I just can't. But simply having this agenda that I set for myself, makes me feel like I have a value.

Now don't get me wrong. I know we all have value, if for no other reason than because God loves us. But sometimes when you are in a situation where you are home day-after-day and unable to participate in a physical sense, as does (what seems like) the majority of the world or community; having my own little appointment book-

makes me feel good.

Luv & Prayers,

Joy