Are you busy or full?

A friend of a friend recently passed along an article to me. It was about being busy versus being full and I think it brought up an important distinction. Today’s world seems overflowing with busyness. And the way many lament their own flurry of daily activity, it’s almost as though they think there is no other way, that they have no choice in the matter. How many of us live lives based on “have to”s and “should”s? I will venture a guess and say it is the vast majority.

And, yet, there is a better way and it’s really easy to implement. It’s stopping to check in with yourself before you say yes. It’s checking your calendar before you commit. It’s asking how doing something will support you in your goals and values. Yes, first you have to know what your goals and values are. But, once you do, they serve as great tools to help you make the best choices for your life.

Here’s my take on busy versus full:

Busy is rushing, stressing, resenting. Busy is dreading. Busy is regretting. You may happen upon some events or commitments that fill you up but usually that is more by accident than by design. Busy is chaos that you don’t even recognize as chaos because it’s just the way you live.

Full is thoughtful, smart, satisfying.  Full is designed. Full allows for small breaks. You sprinkle in things you love or things that fill you up which makes doing the things you have to do much more tolerable. Full is controlled and deliberate and based on choices that mesh with who you are.

Which sounds better to you? My vote is for full.



Comments

[melissa]

Good Job Erin! I needed that.....my life seems to be very Busy/chaotic and I need to just relax and let things go....