Not Quite a Transformer...

Otherwise known as Crazy Busy, and Balanced...

This week I took a mini-break from writing.  It was my first post-boot camp week and I enjoyed the little bit of downtime that this provided after the marathon of activities last weekend. 

Monday I thought I could barely make it through the workday...

But I did. 

Tuesday and Wednesday I ran three good miles at My Small Town Lakefront.  I worked on increasing speed this week, and pushing myself.  I have been supposed to do that each week leading up to now, but since I was just getting back into running, I didn't want to stress my legs too much, and honestly, with the two sessions boot camp on the days I wasn't running during the week, I was just thrilled to be out on the running course.  Now, though, I feel strong enough to go a bit faster than an easy jogging pace. 

Thursday afternoon I met my good friend Kelly for a much-needed therapy session at our local Aussie-themed restaurant.  We hadn't had a chance to see each other in a couple of months, so we were long overdue for rich conversation regarding the state of school counseling, my forays into distance-running and salsa, and her upcoming adventures in real estate.  Kelly is one of those people who has a great way of making her point known.  She is confident, and expresses herself exceedingly well.  I am still a work-in-progress in that area, but that's one of the reasons our friendship works.  Her insightful remarks have given me much food for thought.  I told her that I had taken a few days off from writing because I needed a break.  (Plus, I feel like readers get tired of hearing about the same topics over and over again!) 

Jen, I am glad to know you are human... I thought you had turned into some kind of Transformer!  Only a machine could keep up your schedule!  We laughed. 

No, I'm not quite a Transformer.  I get tired, and I am forced to slow down when my body lets me know most emphatically it's had enough.  I supposed I could ignore the signals, and keep pushing, but why would I do that?  Everything suffers when folks are spread too thin.   Being single, I have the luxury of only thinking of myself (and my cat) when I need to calm my crazy schedule.  I have to give credit to the amazing mothers and fathers who go about organizing their schedules-- and their children's. 

On Monday, when I was just trying to make it through the day, I knew I wasn't serving my students as well as I could be if I had had a restful weekend.  Every weekend doesn't have to be crazy busy, but the occasional crazy busy weekend is to be expected.  This weekend I have arranged a nice balance of spending time with friends, a bit of cleaning, and a bit of time to reflect, read, and yes, write.  I hope your weekend is equally balanced.