"Things Have Just Been So Busy Lately"

Tomorrow is the start of a New Year. A start of something fresh. A clean slate. A chance to set new goals. And, if you're like me, you already have appointments and meetings and rendezvous galore filling up your calendar. Why is it that we get so busy so quickly? Will there ever be a chance to just relax?

When you try to plan things with people, you often hear them say, "things have just been so busy lately. Maybe we can try for next month when things slow down." But, do things ever slow down? Why is it that our schedules are full nearly every month of the year?

We put things off around the "holidays" because, well, it's the holidays. "When things settle down 'after the holidays,'" you hear people say, "then maybe we can set something up." We are busy with parties and gatherings and family flying in to see us and us flying out to see them. Christmas has just occurred and New Year's is around the corner and the kids are out of school for the week. So, it's just too busy to plan anything. But then when New Year's rolls around, you've gotta get the kids back into school and start to get organized again. Then, slowly, January starts filling up and we're into February. When February rolls around, you still haven't planned anything with anyone yet because someone's birthday is occurring and you are throwing them a party. So, all your energy has been centered around planning that party and it's just "too much" to try to plan anything else.

When March comes around you're getting exhausted. There was a big snow storm that came and the kids have been out of school for a week again, and things have been hectic. Little Jimmy lost his first tooth and you have had too many Dr.'s Appointments for yourself and for the kids to try to fit in another dinner date with someone. Maybe in late spring, you tell them and yourself, we can try to hook up.

But April rolls around and there's a spring play at school for the kids. Your parents have flown in town and they are staying for a week to see the play and to visit. You're also participating in the 1/2 marathon you've been training for as well, so you haven't got time to relax.

When May comes you are starting to plan your summer vacation beach trip and you've been really occupied with that. You've spent most of your evenings and weekend nights looking into deals and trying to get the best package. You're tired from the marathon and really just need time to relax. So, no extra events for you in May.

June is here and and you really think you can meet for a coffee. So you actually do squeeze in a 30 minute coffee date on your lunch break with your best friend. But it is rushed because you have a big presentation later that day and that is all that's been on your mind. Your friend feels a little neglected and you don't even notice it because you are so busy.

July comes fast and all that's on your mind is the vacation you've been planning for two months. The first week is spent prepping for your vacation, the second week you go on your vacation, and the last two weeks of the month are spent "winding down" from your vacation.

The August heat makes anything pretty much unbearable. So, you spend your time trying to find ways to stay cool and at the same time you start gearing up for football season. The kids are at the stage of summer boredom and you have to find ways to keep them occupied.

September quickly becomes busy with school supply shopping and book buying, and perhaps college move-ins. It's one of the busiest months of all.

Halloween rolls around and everyone is getting geared up for Fall. You've been to three weddings since September and your wallet is running dry. Every time you think of planning to see your friend again, there is another excuse.

November quickly comes and Thanksgiving is all that you think about. You're busy gathering recipes and trying to make plans for family.

As December hits we are back where we started. Planning and going to parties, buying gifts, and going nonstop is what your life has been consumed with. And by the time Christmas hits you are in "wind-down" mode again before the New Year comes.

As soon as you know it, the entire year has flown by and it is 2010. You have had coffee with your friend one time for 30 minutes on your lunch break. Why? Even if we don't have children are we that busy that we can't stop for an extra hour once a month to visit an old friend or meet a new one? Are we really that tired too pick up the phone to wish Grandma a happy birthday or send a card to Uncle Paul for his? I thought life was about cultivating relationships and sharing with those we love. How can we do this if we are so busy all the time?

I know for me, that is what 2009 was. I was constantly on the run. I had no time, or made no time, to focus on the friendships and relationships that mean the most and my goals and dreams were brushed to the back. I'm going to try, hard, to wipe the dust off some of those old dreams and try to put more effort into things that matter the most. I guess you could say that is a New Year's Resolution. I'm not going to make a promise I can't keep, but I really want to slow down in 2010. I really want to try to enjoy it. I really want to see more friends and have more fun and focus on goals that I have pushed aside for so long. I want to focus on eternal truths and not temporary highs. As we all well know, we don't get younger, we get older. And as a wise man (Dr. Rutland) once said, "you can be 5 years older with your degree, or 5 years older without one." Maybe for you this is not a degree or an education. Maybe it's a promotion or reorganizing your address book or making a movie, or learning how to sew. Or, perhaps it's just making a commitment to meet a friend for coffee once a month.

What will you choose?