Sighs and Hallelujahs Stories and thoughts about the adventures of life without arms

A Refreshing Break

For those that know me well, you know that I like being productive and getting things done.  And, when it comes to work, this can certainly be to my detriment.  You'd also know that it's a cray season at work for me right now -- working on a proposal to renew my main client (and maybe save my job), planning for FY10 and mentoring a new group of interns.  This past week I left the office after 10:15 p.m. two nights in a row and today (Saturday) I spent several hours in the office again.  So, obviously, it has been a long week.

One thing I'm noticing is that, as I get older, my body doesn't handle the long hours as well as it once did.  That's one of the downfalls of both getting older and living in a body that requires a little extra effort just to make it through the day.  Now, you may be surprised to hear that from me.  But, it's a new leaf that I'm turning over -- admitting that life is a bit more strenuous and tiring for me as a man that does everything unconventionally.  Long hours mean limited sleep, extra hours at a computer typing with my feet and a worn neck and knees.  And age is a complicating factor, too (as it is for most of us)!

In the midst of this frantic pace, somehow a couple weeks ago I decided that it would be smart to issue an invitation to several folks from my condominium building to come over for an evening of dinner and conversation.  Well, it ended up being a brilliant decision!  The invitation was issued over Facebook and three couples accepted the offer and came over for a barbeque and to watch the Sounders soccer game tonight.  Let me tell you, it was what I needed -- a refreshing break from the rat race that my life has been as of late.

Now, that may also be a surprise to those who know me well.  I tend to see each appointment, task or project as something on a "to do" list that needs to be checked off.  Pathetic, I know.  But, sometimes my mind starts racing and that's how I approach life.  It's especially true when my schedule gets busy.  As I left work at 4:15 today I knew I'd be pressing it on time to get to Trader Joe's and then home in time to clean up ahead of my company arriving at 6 p.m.  As I sat in Seattle traffic (lately exacerbated by spring road construction), I realized that I was not going to make it home more than a few minutes ahead of my guests.  With a trunk full of groceries and a house that needed to be picked up, I was stressed.  The entire way home and at the grocery store I was on edge and irritable.  I get that way when I fail to plan ahead and don't allow myself enough time to get somewhere.

Luckily the first of my neighbors arrived fashionably late at 6:15 p.m., giving me just enough time to clean up the kitchen, pick-up the living room and unpack the few bags of groceries.  From that point on it was pure enjoyment (except for the fact that the Sounders lost).

What struck me tonight was how necessary and refreshing it is to spend time in community -- no matter how busy life seems.  Was this another thing to add to my already packed schedule?  Yes, especially since I volunteered to host.  And, there was also the potential to see it as just another task.  Hang out with neighbors -- check!

It simply didn't feel like that, though.  Thankfully not.  Instead, I came away refreshed having connected with friends and having met a new couple in my building.  It was just the break I needed!

Now, I'm either headed to bed or am going to work for a little while.  Back into the hampster wheel I go, recognizing how glorious the break was!