Deep Thoughts: Mediocrity

Over the last few years I have been asked on MANY occasions, “Oh my gosh! How do you have time for that?”  Running, knitting, having 4 kids, having 2 puppies, blogging, sewing, church callings, chickens, college classes…all of these have been the subject of this question.

I have been asked enough times that I have really started to wonder how I do have enough time to do all this.  Of course then I start thinking, “I don’t have time!  And if I am going it that must mean I am doing something wrong.  I shouldn’t have time for this!”

I finally came up with a quick reply when the dental hygienist asked about the puppies the other day.  “I don’t know.  I must neglect the real children.”

Look at these poor urchins.  Poorly dressed and playing in muddy drainage water,

While the nearly naked baby is inside alone.

I think that couldn’t be further from the truth.  If I could give reasons why I can do all those things, here is what I would come up with:  

• I don’t coddle the kids.  I raise my kids to be independent. “Teach them correct principles and they will govern themselves.”  Joseph Smith

• I am jack of all trades and master of none.  I dabble in a lot of things but never all at
  the same time and never well enough to win contests.

• In my dabbling I don’t finish things I start.  For example today I finished sewing the Christmas jammies I made for the kids.  For three months all I have had to do is hem Noah’s, repair Jacob’s seat that ripped out, and reinforce Ben and Sophie’s so they wouldn’t rip.  I finished them today in about 10 minutes.   3 months for 10 minutes…sad.                 

• I talk a lot about the things I do so it may seem like I do a lot but really I am just talking about the same things over and over. (i.e. I have a bragging problem.)

•  Mediocrity-My house is not pristine, my kid’s hair isn’t perfectly groomed, and my pets sit and come but that it about it.

• I save a lot of time by not showering or getting dressed before 12:00.

  

  FYI This was taken at 7:36 a.m.

• I have ADD and anxiety (I have a doctors note that gets me out of gym. That is why I don't exercise j/k)and quite frankly if I sit still for a few seconds with nothing to do I get a little antsy for something to do.

• I am chronically over tired.  Burning the candle at both ends!

• I have an amazing husband who does a lot of housework and helps a lot with the kids and animals.

• This talk by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf literally changed my life.  Even if you aren’t LDS it is motivational.  It helped me lose my fear of failure.

• In general my religion helps me push myself to greater heights.  I am constantly trying to "try a little harder to be a little better." Onward and Upward!!! 


• I keep things simple.  If it doesn't serve a purpose, I don't do it.