“So many secure facilities [to break into], so little time.”
— The Arctic Incident, book 2 of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
When I reread that facetious line recently, it occurred to me that that common phrase might be useful for a deeper purpose.
“So many _____, so little time”: how would you fill in the blank?
Keep the gleeful spirit of the phrase—chuckle evilly, grin with crazy eyes, or rub your hands together in delicious anticipation.
What is the object of your eagerness?
Your answer (or answers) can direct your attention to your interests, reminding you that they exist and that your time for engaging in them is not infinite.
In this way, the question activates the motivating power of scarcity and urgency in a positive direction—the direction of what truly interests and excites you.
For example, the first two things that jumped to my mind were “books to read” and “things to write.” (More serious and profound things, such as “moments with my kids to make the most of,” came a bit later and were farther from the gleeful tone.)
My husband might answer “estate sales to scout for cool antiques and hidden deals.” My friend would answer “languages to learn” and “animals to rescue.”
What’s your answer? Whatever it is, may you get some of it today! I’m off to try to get some writing and reading!!
River Roundup
Section posts from the past week
(formerly “Sunday Springs”—I’m changing the name because I can’t always get it done on/by Sunday)
☔️Parenting Puddles
“The key that clicked for me is that I can be firm and authoritative without harming them. Just because some adults are cruel and abusive to children doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to be both authoritative and kind.”
🪷Serenity Splashes
See full posts for my audio recordings of the poems, plus notebook snapshots and photo captions.
a chant
Slow down. I'm okay. Let my feelings point the way. Life is hard, but I can choose how to meet each moment's news.
another chant for healing-help
It's okay to stay in here. Let boundaries counter fear. I don't have to leave myself to placate everyone else. That was life before. Now my life is more. I'm learning to protect my needs and self-respect-- to stay on my own side and in my core abide.
What I’m learning lately
It's okay to stay inside my shell-- to be quiet, still, and close to myself. I don't have to constantly spell out my status for everyone else. Like a turtle, I can wait with quiet as my shield and home until I'm ready to relate, calmer for the time alone.
a reminder
Good thing I don’t have to defend myself in your esteem. My happiness does not depend on what you think of me.
a poem in English & French (just for fun)
There is always change in the world outside, so look to arrange my world inside. ~~ Il y a toujours du changement dans le monde à l’extérieur, alors regarde l’arrangement de mon monde à l’intérieur.
So many Peggy projects! 😅 Seriously, that mare wants to be everything--art, a story, a 3D printed figure, a wooden cut-out, embroidery, a hand-made doll, a door chime... and I'm sure more that I'm forgetting in this moment but will pop up anytime we're in a craft store or watching random makers on YouTube! 🤣🤣🤣
But this is such a great question for the very reason you stated--it reveals what lights us up. Hope you're feeling lit up lately! ✨