Comments on: Holding Pattern

By: lawyer mama

lawyer mama — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:54:38 +0000

I think this is your best post ever. I’ve been reading you for a while now (since the purchase of the home you are now renting out), and while I enjoy your blog, this post stands out. Lots of things are going on in my life right now, and I appreciate the reminder that sometimes we need to simply Be Still and listen.

By the way, I have to know where you got the image! Is that a plaque sold by a website? I googled but with no luck. I really like it!

By: Toni

Toni — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:55:08 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing this. I humbly add myself to the list of folks who needed to hear this message. I just got word that I will be laid off in three weeks after 7 years service. I’ll be 41 next month, am happily single with no kids. I am also climbng out of debt, and your blog is an inspiration. I have been running on empty for a while, and will use this time to just be still.

By: tiredofbeingbroke

tiredofbeingbroke — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:03:44 +0000

Thanks for sharing. It’s great that you have realized the need to let it be, instead of getting to the point of complete burnout.

By: sf mom

sf mom — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:08:34 +0000

I have always appreciated your posts. I especially feel like I connected with you here. The whole idea of my blog has been to seek contentment. I don’t necessarily want to be complacent with my life and not be on the search, but I do want to appreciate what I have. Seeking contentment defines every day of my life. I’m seeking the balance. You have been an inspiration to me. I don’t know how you handle being a single mother, because I’m so very dependent on my husband for help with our girls. I admire you. Thank you for sharing.

BTW, I just have to say that sometimes when my DH and I are talking he’ll say, “What does Single Ma have to say about that?” It’s cute. You are famous in our household.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:35:51 +0000

Thanks for sharing! First-time reader, and I’m glad I stopped by when I did! I especially appreciated the image at the beginning of the post.

By: Penny

Penny — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:56:28 +0000

This post was a pleasure to read. We’re memorizing this verse at my church right now. I know it isn’t long or anything, but it’s definitely needed! Thanks for a great post!

By: Rhonalala

Rhonalala — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:17:51 +0000

SM, I hear you. I wrote a similar post like yours a few days ago and I was shocked to read about your revelation. I totally understand as life can be so overwhelming and just too much sometimes. I think that summer is always a good time to release and relax. We all have to do let go and be still once in a while or we will find ourselves in a very bad place.

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:53:27 +0000

Single Ma, this may be one of the wisest posts you have ever written.

Seriously, it is very important to listen to that inner voice and when it calls, be still and listen to it.

Too many people are running themselves in circles in pursuit of their goals, dreams, a fatter paycheck, or just trying to be the perfect `whatever’ it is they want to be. But at the end of the day, there are only 24 hours, we are only human, and when we live out of balance, there will be a price to pay. Sometimes that price is exhaustion, depression, frustration, too little time, too little enjoyment…or even a diagnoses. Mine was cancer.

I used to put my career out front and center. I worked hard to increase my pay at least 8-10% each year. I would put in long days, long weeks, volunteering for projects, committees, and I was also finishing my Bachelors in the evenings.

But my life felt out of kilter. In fact, I felt like I was missing out on my life. I was so focused on the future and what I planned to achieve that I wasn’t appreciating THE MOMENT, and I felt like a stranger in my own life. I realized I wasn’t even enjoying myself anymore. I was exhausted. I was burnt out. I realized I was pursuing a degree in a field I didn’t even have a passion for, but because I had an Associates and had been in the field for years & was on that upward path, I felt obligated to press on. I began to feel bad physically from the internal conflict but felt powerless to resolve it. Then I received that diagnoses that changed my life….for the better.

I’m not saying you need to bow out, quite the contrary. But remember you are, at the end of the day, merely human - and a lot of the pressure you are feeling is self imposed.

I decided to change direction. At age 46, I can now tell you that I am UTTERLY ecstatic with my choice. I earn less money than I would in the corporate world - but I spend a lot less because now I telecommute. No more traffic jams (or time spent commuting), no more parking, no more weekly gas fill ups, no more corporate monkey suits & pantyhose, no more `what’ll I do for lunch’ hassles, no more reluctant spending on baby shower & wedding shower gifts, no more office politics. I am FREE. The savings alone, plus the write offs from working out of my home, have helped to offset any loss of income. And I have my life back - because I realized my true avarice - my TIME.

Blessings to you - and don’t forget to listen to your heart as well as that mighty head of yours. I wish you the best!

By: Toxic Money

Toxic Money — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:10:39 +0000

Really enjoyed reading this… seems like you have things “together” at the moment, which probably wasn’t the case 7 years ago. Just slow down and take it one day at the time… Good Luck!

By: Miss Money

Miss Money — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:20:55 +0000

Single Ma!! I too agree with the other bloggers about this entry, It was a very personal one, but so many people (including me) needed to hear that right now! It is amazing how much you have accomplished, and as a 25 year old in that 33,000 dollar range right now it gives me hope that I can grown in my career, but it also shows me, that money is not everything, and sometimes I do feel that if I can get to a financial peak where I am comfortable and can provide for my child beyond measure then I will be set, But from reading your entry I understand that no matter what in life, there will be times, when we will have to let the creator do his work and just Be STILL!!!

Thanks so much
Miss Money
http://missmoneyblues.blogspot.com/