Shut up grace

So over the last month or so, I’ve been suffering from writers block.  I don’t know if an occasional blogger can truly suffer from writers block, but like a stomach bug running through kindergarten, I’ve caught it.

I have lots of great ideas that just really don’t pan out lately.  As a matter of fact, I have about three different pages of half paragraphs sitting on my laptop as we speak.  But they just don’t have the “umpf” I want. 

But recently I have noticed a thread of repetition in my daily life.  Or as I call it “UGH!”.  This thread of repetition has been on-going for a LONG time, and I’m just now starting to understand it.   I’m calling it  grace, but there’s also a smidgen of patience, kindness and a general “don’t act like yourself” in these daily lessons. 

The best plans......

I’m a goal setter.  I love to think of, plan and orchestrate a well-designed goal.  It’s a beautiful thing, the coordinated effort.   A famous line from the A-team’s John “Hannibal” Smith, “I love it when a plan comes together”.   Me too!  Long-term, short-term, financial, career, dinner… it doesn’t matter.  My mind functions best when I can work out and solve a problem.   This helps me deal with the stresses of life.  Problem, solution, execution.  Simple and to the point.  It’s a benefit, yet a curse. 

About 10 years ago, we planned a trip to Disney World with our two daughters (our third daughter was not born yet), ages 8 and 6.  Being the organized, some would call obsessive person that I am, I planned the entire trip.  Down to the hour. Where we would eat, travel time, and I even factored in possible drive delays to and from the various parks.  I even penciled in “fun” for the trip.  We were ready.   

I'm an only child, yep...it's all about me!

I’m an only child.  And yes, it IS all about me.  No, just kidding (well, maybe).  Truthfully, the nasty rumors you’ve heard about only children are not always true.  We don’t always dwell in the selfish realm of “medom”.  We do share our stuff, and we do enjoy being around other people.  Most of the time.   We are social creatures, dare I say… even friendly?   Just remember to keep the conversation focused on us! 

Now we only kids have a few quirks.  We enjoy being alone more than some.  We don’t require the constant social interaction of another person.  We enjoy reading, watching a movie or surfing the internet without the company of the entire house.  Sometimes we crave solitude.