15.3.10

i yam what i yam

Right now I'm on one. You know how I get. Some days something sparks the Kat Rant and lucky you, I share it here.

Today I went visiting teaching. For all you non-Mormons out there that just means I went to visit a couple of women I go to church with and share a little spiritual thought. So anyway, it was my partners turn to teach the lesson and if you have done your v.t.ing this month you know it was about scripture study. SO important right? I totally agree. And of course it is also very important to search and ponder the scriptures. However, if there are days when all you can do is speed read a chapter without fully grasping every ounce of what you just read, then so be it. I strongly believe that going through the motions can temporarily be beneficial. Maybe not as beneficial as thorough, heart felt studying can. But still, isn't something always better than nothing? Shouldn't we keep doing the motions until life slows down, we can breathe and finally read in a heart felt manner?

This leads me to my next point. Everyday we, as mothers and women in general, have a tendency to overwhelm ourselves with "responsibilities." I put that in quotations because sometimes we confuse stuff with responsibilities. I am so busy right now. So busy I barely have time to think sometimes but how lucky am I that I am busy doing things I love? I am teaching classes at the gym and raising two beautiful children. And believe me, those two things add up and there isn't much time left for folding the 3 baskets of clean laundry waiting patiently in the living room. Or for cleaning the tooth paste splatters off of my bathroom mirror. Or for cooking gourmet, balanced meals. That is just the way it is right now and it is OK! Heck, it's more than ok! It's awesome! I am awesome! (If you have read that phrase on my blog before it's probably because that is one of my personal mantras. You should try saying it.)

I don't know who wrote the rule book that says you have to do it all, everyday, all the time, to be successful. Whoever it was, and I have a sneaking suspicion it wasn't truly anyone but ourselves, should choke and die. I am busy, happy, healthy, active (physically and spiritually), and doing my best. That is enough for today, enough for tomorrow and enough for forever. So instead of trying to do it all, I'll just keep doing my best and I'll never feel guilty. Tomorrow my best might include finally cleaning the bathroom, but today that doesn't fit.

The next time someone (cough, cough...yourself) tries to make you think that something has to be done perfectly and that everything all has to get done in order for you to be a successful woman, kick that person, look them in the eyes, and tell them to kiss your butt. Annnnnd done.

11 comments:

Jene and Megan said...

lol..I love this post! I agree with you on all accounts. I've been really struggling with this lately and this made me laugh and realize that I'm not alone in this! Thanks for your honesty!

Melissa S. said...

You KNOW how hard it is to try to kiss your own butt, don't you? However, you of all people could probably pull it off.
I definitely agree something is better then nothing. I threw trying to do everything out the window a LONG time ago. It's quite a feeling of freedom, actually. I COULD try to get my kids to look perfect, make perfect bows, read perfect books, make perfect crafts, and go to every playgroup and EVERY day of gym classes, but I don't, and I love it. I eventually get around to that darn bathroom too (usually RIGHT before people come over), because really, as busy as we are and COULD be, let's just fill up our schedules with what is most important and makes us happy. :)
(And if we take a pause in most of those responsibilities to read Hunger Games.....so be it!)

Jeanette said...

Its so impossible to do it all! I don't even try anymore. On any given day there is enough food on my kitchen floor to make a meal out of it! I have to sweep 3 times a day to keep it clean and let me tell you, there just isn't time for that!

I'm glad I'm not the only one! Jason thankfully folded laundry last night because we too had quite the pile up. I swear as soon as we get it put away its time to do laundry again and thus have more baskets laying around. Ugh!

See you next week, yay!

Eevi said...

I have been on a survival mode for the last month. As long as Saku is well taken care of, Troy is happy and my house doesn't look like a bomb went off, I am happy. Today a friend of mine came over and said that I could make excuses that my house doesn't always look like this, but in reality, lately it has been little chaotic. I am glad I read your post today. It was a great reminder to remember to give myself a break.

Lindsay Gunnell said...

100% agree. Ha, when was the last time I actually read for 30 minutes, much less pondered over those 30 minutes. I'm patting myself on the back for reading and thinking about one verse. ONE. And you know what? It IS good enough.

kim huish said...

Amen. My bathroom has been needing to be cleaned for weeks. The other day I finally managed to clean the counter and sinks. Thats it. the shower, toilet and floors will have to come another day. That's just the way it is right now. However, I guess I could get rid of doing some of my "stuff" but I think that might be what keeps us all sane (at least that is what I'm telling myself). Excellent post Kat.

Lilianne said...

AMEN! We are always too hard on ourselves. I'm glad you have perspective! :-) Thanks for sharing!

{lindy baker cakes} said...

thank you. i couldn't agree more!!!!!

Prina Family said...

Thank you Kat! I seriously do SO much then question if im really making a difference in the world just because i havent vacuumed for over a week. i always realize I AM! Even if its only in my families lives, thats whats most important. Your post made me feel good because i know i am awesome too! You help me not feel ashamed to think that, thanks!

The Ensign's said...

well said!

mylittlegems said...

funny --as I posted about going through the motions too- as it got me thinking. And it is ok to do that. My epiphany was with going through the motions when it comes to exercise- because it is better than nothing and can still get you somewhere. I gave up trying to do it all much less do anything when I had my 2nd and 3rd child. Mostly now I just do what I love and what is most important at the moment.
And that's it. If I don't have the best body in the world or the cleanest house that is fine because really... perfect people with perfect schedules, perfect houses, perfect kids, and a perfect body--- well they are just plain boring. And who wants to be boring?