Next Tuesday, October 20, I will be releasing my new book, the final episode in the Ranger Martin series. I think after this release, I will be taking a long break away from writing, maybe hibernate all winter until I resurface in the spring when the daisies begin pushing through the ground. Around the same time last year, I intended to do the same, but after some careful deliberations with my family—they didn’t at all like the idea of me easing on the reins for my three-times-a-week-website-writing-binge—I had decided to continue with my schedule. I may just do the same thing this year.
Let’s talk about priorities for today’s Freedom Friday.
Everyone has priorities in life. I don’t think anyone should feel guilty for not accomplishing certain things in life if priorities get in the way. When I say priorities I define them as life’s moments where you can’t do anything other than what you need to do.
This includes, but is not limited to the following: Cooking for the family, driving the kids to their activities, completing the taxes, being supportive to those who need support, balancing a chair on your chin—I just want to see if you’re paying attention—grocery shopping, taking the car in for maintenance, ensuring to pay all the monthly bills, spending time with the family and making money.
Sometimes, priorities get in the way of the things we really want to do. And that’s okay. That’s life. That is what living is all about.
The most important thing for me at the moment, and this wasn’t always the case, is family. I really wouldn’t know what I had to do without my family being there for me. They have never ceased to support my work and me. I spend a good chunk of my day with them, and I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
My family has taught me lessons that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. If anyone were to have told me before getting married that I was going to have a life that would be brimful and running over because of my family, I would have said, “I hope I do.”
With my family I learned:
- Picking up my socks at the foot of the bed is a good thing.
- Cleaning the dryer’s lint collector will prevent fires.
- Leaving a stray rag in the sink while the washing machine performs a rinse cycle will flood the basement.
- Cooking with extra virgin olive oil at high heat will cause my wife to whip out the extinguisher to put out the fire.
- Thinking that you’re smart and actually proving you’re smart are two different things when taking that shortcut through the city and getting lost.
- Lifting a heavy box without adequate stretches will cause one to book an appointment with the chiropractor in order to deal with the sudden realization one is no longer as young as one thought.
My priorities may lessen the time I have with my family, but they certainly should never get in the way of what is important in life—the ability to say no when things get so out of hand that I would need a vacation to get back in rhythm.
Hmm, now there’s a thought. That actually sounds like a great idea.
Hawaii, here we come!
What do you think of spending time with the family?
Looking to God 
Priorities are hard–all of the things are important! There just isn’t enough time for all of them. 😦
I learned about the lint trap thing from my step father. When he told me that it could start a fire, I was like okay, that makes sense, of course I will make sure to clean it now 🙂
My family has always come first. When I see our son and daughter interact with their own kids, I know it was the right decision.
Reblogged this on thepageofdaniel and commented:
Interesting as always, Jack !
Family should always come FIRST – Even if some families ( Mine….. ) make one want to tear one’s hair out after areas of it have gone prematurely greyish – WHITE !
In their own slightly – unbalanced way, they do provide an anchor.
Would love to spend time with the family if I knew where they were (or even what they look like).
I couldn’t agree more – especially when it comes to family. My family and my faith are what keep me sane (though some might think that’s a very fine thread of sanity I’m holding).
Well, Jack, as we said in our earlier correspondence, priorities seem to be the theme these days. I, too, am awed by the coincidence, but I have learned in life, when I keep hearing, seeing, reading something, it means I need to pay close attention. Thanks for another great post!
No, thank you for everything and for dropping by. You’re amazing!
Great post. Does get hard to balance everything and priorities tend to shift every day. Depends on deadlines and workloads. It’s hard for me to give an opinion on spending time with family, which sounds strange. Just that living with my parents and not having my own space puts me in the position of never having time away from them. So the priorities can get a little backwards in that I have days where I push to be alone. Doesn’t sound nice, but I think everyone needs some solitude from time to time.
Sadly, my chin is not designed for chair balancing. 😦
Thanks. Balancing is the key. Without it, there’s not much point to anything, really.
Awful you can’t balance anything on your chin. 😉
My family is my life line, my anchor.There is no priority greater than family.
I love your words! Hands up for family!