Finding the “Is” in Life: A Printable

Well, I’ve talked on other posts recently about my life transitions, and my words of pause and balance.   I’ve decided that a lot of my frustrations over the past two weeks are as much about Monkey’s horrific acid reflux, on top of some work stress, as they are about my new role as a SAHM/WAHM.  I had one of my bimonthly visits into the office, and had a long day away from the house (and of course, the baby), and gained some new perspective.  It’s amazing what getting out of the house, particularly at the end of February will do for your outlook on life.

I also had lunch with a colleague from work last week, and we were talking about challenges with several projects that we were working on.  We both agreed that a lot of times that we have expectations of the way things are supposed to turn out– we envision the end result before we get there, and then are disappointed when the final product isn’t what we anticipated.  I thought she had some very sage advice, when she mentioned that focusing on what we think should be rather than working with what the true end results are.  Now granted, she was talking about our jobs and research, not everyday living.  She  mentioned a quote during our discussion:

A man should look for what is, and not what he thinks should be.
~Albert Einstein

As is frequently the case, I ended up leaving lunch and considering her words while driving home. I do some of my best thinking alone in the car.  I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m spending a lot of time these days thinking the way things should be– I had this vision in my mind of my work-at-home life, and how it would be a dream, everything would get done, I would create professional masterpieces, great meals, have a happy and content baby, and a clean house.  I’m sure you know what I’m talking about– we all have dreams of what our lives should be.

For me, the “should be’s” tend to start developing in the shower each morning.  It’s the other place that I like to do my thinking– thoughts that occur when in magical state where you are nearly awake, but not so much that your mind can’t dream a bit.  Most days I work on my “to do” lists, going through all of the tasks and projects that I need to complete before the day is through.  However, I also think about where I see myself going, what I want to accomplish in the long term.  Each morning the day before me seems limitless, with all the potential imaginable.  I make list a mile long, and my dreams are even bigger.  Needless to say, by the time dinner rolls around, the “should be’s” are sitting on me, and all I can focus on are the boxes that I haven’t ticked off.

After that lunch, I realized that I need to focus more on what “is” in my life, but I also realize that figuring out how to do this will take a bit of time.  I decided to make a printable of the quote that was shared with me, and I’ve made it available for everyone who might be interested, by either clicking the printable below, or clicking here.

I’m sharing the printable at these places:

• Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt It Friday
• Crafty Confessions: Tuesday Confessional
• The Frugal Girls: Chic and Crafty Party
• Handy Man, Crafty Woman: Wickedly Awesome Wednesday
• Happy Hour Projects: Happy Hour Friday
• Home Stories A to Z: Tutorials and Tips Link Party
• House of Hepworths: Hooking Up with HoH
• The Inspiration Gallery
• Keep Calm and Link Up
• Mom on Timeout: Your Creative Timeout Party
• Monday Funday
• Practically Functional: The Fun in Functional Link Party
• The Real Thing with the Coake Family: Real Family Fun
• The Scoop Link Party
• Semi-Homemade Mom: Show and Share It Wednesday
• Seven Alice: Link It Up Thursday
• Shine on Fridays!
• Sugar Bee Crafts: Take A Look Tuesday
• Under the Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase