When Life Gets Busy

Day in and day out, the same hustle and bustle of the day starts the same. The day always starts too soon, goes by too fast and it starts all over again in a matter of hours. It’s no surprise that during the busyness of life, we lose sight of what’s important. We also tend to focus on all of the bad things happening without realizing the lessons we are to learn from them. We don’t intentionally mean to do these things nor do we even see them coming. We are overwhelmed, tired, stressed out, too busy and not sure what to do about it all. It’s easy to get “lost” in the busyness of life

I have noticed that my life has changed a ton this year! I’ve started my own business, wrote a book that’s in the process of getting published (again), getting more involved and connected with my church and with Jesus. I’m also a mom who tries to keep my active toddler busy with little road-trips and getaways as well as with arts and crafts. Let us not forget that I’m also a wife to my husband of over 5 years. On top of that all, my husband and I struggle with infertility, and when we started trying for baby #2 we could never have imagined the difficult journey we’d be on this year.

I’ll touch on each of these segments in a few minutes, but the entire reason of this particular post is to share that when life gets busy, we MUST draw in the people closer to us instead of pushing them away. We need to prioritize and get ride of the things in our life that are holding us back or taking up delicate time. We need to turn to Jesus when times get hard and share with everyone how great HE is and how HE has provided and loved us through all of the ups and downs of life. He will see us through the bad as well as the good and provide insight and lessons along the way. Because of His unwavering love and support, I’m an entirely different person than I was this time last year. I’m an entirely different person that I was in June. I’m OK with that. I’m more than OK with that as I’m a BETTER version of myself.

Now, let me share with you some of the things I’ve learned this year.

Starting a Business is Hard

We live in time that enables anyone who has a dream, to pursue it. For some, it’s an easy transition, but for some it’s hard. Since I started my business, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gotten burned from customers who don’t pay for the hard work that I have done. I’ve trusted too much, and I’ve let some people walk all over me. I’ve even “fired” customers. Let me tell you something, those things have taught me how to be a better person, a better business owner and has provided me with the knowledge to be a better business partner. I know what I need to do to succeed, and I’m doing it.

Write Your Heart Out

In July, I self-published my first children’s book. It took a ton of time and energy to do so, but again I learned a lot. Nothing great comes to those who sit back and expects greatness to unfold. I stayed up late at night and woke up early in the morning to write and edit my book time and time again. I found my own illustrator and worked with her on the illustrations to ensure that my story was coming alive through her work. I had a publishing company just pick up the book, and it’ll be “re-published” through them within 90 days. One thing I’ll offer up is that when you have the time to write, do it. Even if it’s only for a few minutes here and there, that extra bit of time with add up. As I work on my novel, I understand the importance of finding time.

Connect with Other Alike People

In January, I made the commitment (on my own terms) to be a faithful servant and follower of Christ. I was baptized when I was 11, but hadn’t fully received Christ. I was young and, at that time, hated going to Church. As an adult, I figured out that I was missing something. I was missing Him, so I took it upon myself to get re-acquainted with Him. I’m currently going through Growth Track at my church, Radiant Church, and I plan on getting more involved in the Church. On top of that, I’ve started an individual Bible study as well as started attending my second group Bible study with some lovely ladies.  This group is incredible. I also realize how important it is to find alike-minded individuals. I have some friends that I’ve been friends with through the years, but it’s time to look beyond that and expand my  “horizons” as it pertains to finding additional friends. I plan on joining another Bible study group through my Church this fall in order to fill a gap I know that I have.

Be Present in your Child’s Life

It’s easy to let the busyness of life take a toll on you as a parent. I’ve made it a point to get more and more involved in my young son’s life. I’ve always been VERY involved, but for those who know our background, we spoil our son because we understand that he might be our only child. Instead of hanging out at home, both Jason and I have been getting him out and about exploring new things. He is such a smart little boy, and we are feeding his curiosity the best way that we can. When we’re home with him, we are reading with him, teaching him new things, going on walks, playing outside and doing tons of arts and crafts. Parents, never get too busy to spend time with your children. Time flies by! I certainly don’t want to miss a thing in my little boy’s life.

Be Your Spouse’s Best Friend and Biggest Fan

Jason and I are both so incredibly busy. Jason works a ton of hours, and we tend to cross paths sometimes. Occasionally I travel for work and can be gone for days. One thing that has grown our marriage is our communication. We are pretty darn good communicators, and despite everything our relationship has been through since the very beginning of it, we have grown into mature individuals. We continue to grow each and every day. We work at our marriage. We understand the importance of sex in a marriage. We understand the importance of alone time. More importantly we understand that marriage is hard. It’s not a walk in the park. We will have our differences and our challenges. We will experience pain and heartache. BUT, we will also experience joy. The respect I have for my husband is indescribable. He is my best friend. He is my BIGGEST fan. He is the father to our miracle baby and what an incredible father he is! Tell your spouse every day how much you love them, appreciate them, respect them and cherish them. Instead of putting your spouse and your marriage on the back-burner, choose to work at it every day. Every damn day.

Infertility

I’ve said it once, and Ill say it again: Infertility is TOUGH. It tests you on an individual level as well as tests your marriage. Jason and I have never felt so helpless in a situation. We want nothing more to have a second child. We tried for two years before we miraculously conceived naturally. I’d be lying if I said that we have always been strong through our infertility journey. One thing I can say is that we have never pushed blame onto the other spouse. Rather we have both claimed responsibility. After our failed IVF in July, instead of letting that unfortunate news tear us apart, it brought us closer. The last 5 years of our life together has been consumed by infertility. It seems like we’re always talking about infertility. Our infertility journey has kept us busy, but it has also brought us closer as a husband and wife. It’s made us even more thankful for what we DO have: our beautiful son, and it has brought us closer in our faith.

Life can be busy. It can be chaotic. It can be incredibly messy, but instead of letting the busyness of life impact us in a negative way, we must learn through it all. Everything that we go through in life is meant to teach us a lesson. We must not harden because of our trials, but rise up.

This is important to remember…

One last thing, to my spouse..when I seem busy, overwhelmed or lost in thought, just know that I appreciate you. I appreciate your encouragement, your faith in me and the love you have for me daily. Thank you for understanding how important it is to me to follow my dreams. I hope along the way you follow yours more as well. All my love, D