I enjoy volunteering my "talents" to the communities that surround me. This past spring I stuck my neck out just a little too far and was left feeling abused and taken advantage of. With out getting into the ugly details and finger pointing, I can confidently state that I finally learned my lesson of where to draw the line in terms of "giving" my time.
After the dust settled from the last event I volunteered to chair, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I did wrong; what I could have done differently; what I could change. And the answer to all of the above was nothing. NOTHING. There was nothing I could have done that would have made this fundraiser a more successful event.
Following that train of thought, if I could do nothing. then what was I doing there at all?
Following that train of thought, if I could do nothing. then what was I doing there at all?
I looked around at our um... lived in house... at our two kids who need nothing more than my time and here I am GIVING it to other causes and I thought "where are my priorities?"
Once there, I started looking at each thing in my life and I made a list of what I wanted to do with my time and where it ranked. My list looked something like this:
1. Our Family (live an active life with my children, encouraging and nurturing them into the amazing human beings they have the potential to be)
2. My Marriage (spend time and effort cultivating the relationship I have and hope to have with my husband)
3. Health and Fitness Goals (regain control of my eating habits and activity levels)
4. Future Planning (spending time and effort adding to our financial goals/gains and security)
5. Friendships (grow true and meaningful relationships with friends from the past, present and future)
Volunteering and helping others (on a MUCH smaller scale, with smaller roles) was and still on the list, but, RIGHT NOW, its not a top five priority.
Volunteering and helping others (on a MUCH smaller scale, with smaller roles) was and still on the list, but, RIGHT NOW, its not a top five priority.
Once I could articulate my priorities, I could really see that I have been missing the mark on the things that were and are the most important... at least in my head. I found it heartbreaking that I gave away so much of myself when it was in no way beneficial to my goals. BUT, it marked a change in me and a change for the better. Since sitting down with my broken heart and my list, I have made changes and I'm seeing results. While my example of a "breaking point" is completely a first world problem, it was enough to have me evaluate and strive towards goals that truly impact MY life and I am a better person for it.
Have you taken time to think about your priorities? Are you living your life how you want to?
Have you taken time to think about your priorities? Are you living your life how you want to?
