Games, #4: TOO Busy!

A GAME is a series of predictable behaviors that lead to predictable, usually dysfunctional outcomes, in which at least two people participate.  In plain language, a game is a way of acting that will get the player what he or she wants that is not a happy ending for the others involved.

There is a fine line between working hard so my family can survive and working hard because it feels good to be on lots of committees even though all are "good" causes or being over-involved in kids' or adults' sports teams.  I surely can't point fingers on this one because there have been more than a few times I've found myself in this situation.

The game is that a leader of a worthy group concocts a new plan that will raise money or increase participation in the group.  The leader asks someone to do the work.  It's for a really good cause, right?  How can you say, "no?"

Saying "yes" to helping raise money for my children's school P. T. A. group kept me way too busy for a couple of years!  Then I took a long, hard look at where the money was going: NOT to directly help any of the children but to give the teachers 'discretionary' money, to spend as they saw fit.  Keep in mind this was not in a poor district.  The teachers were all well-supplied. I got off the "committee treadmill" when I realized how much time it sucked away from spending time with my own children who were my primary responsibility (and also my primary JOY!).

Yes, many of us are too soft-hearted and find it difficult to say "NO!" To unreasonable requests.  At one time, I had to tape a piece of paper with "NO!" on it on my telephone.  Those were the days when there was only one phone in the house and it was connected to the wall.

Another time I was way too overworked and over-committed was the two months before I retired last year.   There were projects at the hospital and professional nursing group that I needed to see to their  conclusions before I left.  I didn't feel it would be fair to leave with any 'loose ends.'

There are way too many folks - and even children - who are much too over-committed.  They have no time to think and rest if every waking moment is scheduled.  How can you get off this autobahn that just keeps speeding faster?   Remember First Lady, Nancy Reagan's "War on drugs?"  JUST SAY    "NO!"

Oh, Lord, please give us the wisdom to agree to work well with fewer 'good causes' and not let our lives descend into the pit of being TOO BUSY!  We need time for thought, rest, and, of course, PRAYER!