SIDETRACKED
Sidetracked – cause (someone) to be distracted from an immediate or important issue.
I am not sure about you but right after the craziness of 4th quarter, three major holidays I have found myself to be a bit sidetracked. It is the beginning of a brand new year and this year marks a new decade there are parts of me saying I should be focused, driven and ready to achieve my goals but other parts of me look outside at the drab, overcast and dreary January day and say hmmm can I just go back to bed? Call it seasonal disorder, being middle age or bottom line it is simply being sidetracked.
I really like the urban dictionary’s definition the best.
To get distracted for a while halfway while you’re doing something else. That pretty much sums it up…life happens So today I choose to begin again…I have poured myself a cup of Ginger Peach tea and encourage you to do the same!
How many of you find yourself sidetracked from time to time? I think we all can relate. I remember when I was a newlywed my mother introduced me to a book called “The Sidetracked Home Executive, from Pigpen to Paridise” Originally published: November 1979 Authors: Pam Young, and Peggy Jones. I loved that book, I spent hours typing on a manual typewriter on 3 by 5 cards the items I would be required to do daily, weekly, monthly, semi-monthly, quarterly and yearly. It was such a great system to get organized and stay organized in my home. The cards were different colors by category and then I added my own personal touch with cute little stickers. I was very faithful for quite a few years using their system it was so fun more like a game. Don’t laugh but it has been almost 40 years and I still have that box of cards in a metal recipe box stashed on a shelf. (Thanks Mom!)
We have moved from 3 by 5 cards, to day planners and now we have smart phones with so many apps helping us get and stay organized it makes my head spin. Some days I like going back to the simple times of paper and a manual system. It seems to be a bit calmer than being attached to the screen, dings and vibration reminders. No wonder I find myself so sidetracked.
This post is also about the times we find ourselves faced with circumstances we weren’t expecting. Perhaps it is an unexpected diagnosis, a phone call your loved one has hit rock bottom, a good friend is facing divorce or separation. A loss in employment, a severe accident or loss of a loved one. Unfortunately we can never know when that curveball is thrown. How are we going to react or better yet respond?
1. Don’t be bitter; be neutral. What happened wasn’t OK, but bitterness will end up hurting you even more than the specific circumstance.
2. Do the things you were told you couldn’t do. If someone said you would never amount to anything, go and prove them wrong. Don’t do it for their attention, and don’t expect them to acknowledge it later. Do it for yourself.
3. Prove yourself wrong. Most people who have been sidetracked have allowed low expectations from someone else to come into their own life somewhere. You don’t need to prove anything to someone else, but prove yourself wrong and learn to set higher expectations.
4. Reevaluate your life. Recovery is always a good time to look at what you’re doing and determine if you are finding fulfillment through it. Did something teach you that life is short? You’re a survivor for a reason, so make it count you won’t always be a victim unless you allow yourself to be.
5. Complete Surrendering to God is the biggest and best decision I could have ever made. “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalms 32:8 NLT
I heard this week if you are going through Hell just keep on going eventually the days will get brighter and the circumstances will change. I also read that too much sunshine will eventually create a desert so embrace the hard times and be extra thankful for the good times.
When I came up with the slogan “Takin Time Out” it was designed to encourage others, take a break from a hectic schedule and to release my random thoughts on paper. Have you found yourself a bit sidetracked lately? What do you do to get back on track? Perhaps during this time of year maybe you could journal, read a bit more or just sit and be…there is nothing wrong with that! Hope you have a great week until next time…