Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – August 17, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – August 17, 2004

Using Down Time Wisely

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – August 17, 2004 – I tend to be a worrier. It’s not much wonder considering my track record with panic and high anxiety. Sounds like a good name for a novel, doesn’t it? “Panic and High Anxiety” – “A spellbinding saga of family intrigue, corporate greed and star-crossed lovers torn apart by the demands of their respective dynasties.

Fuelled by greed, they are deceived by the people they trusted the most. Annabell and Christian must set aside their family ties, learn to trust one another in spite of all evidence to the contrary and finally triumph in the face of unimaginable odds”.

Okay, I digress. I’ve had an extremely busy and successful year to date. I’ve just come back from a two week vacation – followed by last week’s frustration with my crashed computer system. This week, I’m slowly getting my work life back on track. My computer is functioning at about 50% and I’m still waiting to hear about the success, or lack thereof, of the data retrieval company.

I’m not swamped with work – I should be taking advantage of this slow time and getting ready for the fall market, which will heat up after the Labour Day week-end. It’s almost the end of August. It’s been a cool, damp summer and there won’t be many warm summer days and evenings left.

The only voice saying that I shouldn’t be enjoying this reprieve from my usual, hectic schedule is the one in my head – that darn Blabber again, running off at the mouth with her constant harangue of “Must – Should – Could” and her famous “To Do Lists”. Well a pox on her! I did spend time today preparing my newsletters, returning phone calls and paying bills. I have some client research to do tomorrow and a couple of presentations to prepare and then I’m going to attempt to enjoy this slow period.

I’m not on vacation – I’m answering phone calls and arranging all the client appointments that are necessary – but true to form I feel as if I should be busier, my nose to the grindstone, simply not entitled to enjoy end-of-summer distractions. Not to mention Blabber sneaking into my thoughts with hourly reminders that I’ll probably never do anther deal. Do I sound a tiny bit neurotic?

The remedy must surely be as follows:

Do the work that is necessary to look after my clients’ needs.

Do the essential planning for my business in September.

Spend some time creating new marketing materials.

Make sure that my newsletters go out on time.

Get my computer back up and running in tip-top form.

Okay that sounds about right.

Now to some fun things:

Catch an afternoon movie or two.

Take some extra afternoon walks with Augie.

Have some outdoor patio lunches & chocolate ice cream cones.

Sit in the sun and relax in its warmth.

Be quiet and still and remember all that is right about my life!

P.S. 2014 – When I was walking out of the grocery store today – with bags of wonderful, fresh food – I thought about a program I watched last night on CNN about an Iraqi family sitting on top of a mountain. They have minimal food and water. They have been driven from their village – running for their lives from ISIS – over “religion”. The reporter said “This is not right – just last week they had a home. What are people doing to one another?

I was overwhelmed by a feeling of profound gratitude and grateful to be returning to my beautiful home and garden. Thankful for my freedom – aware of the amazing life I lead in Canada. Think about all that is “right” in your life and then see what you can do for others!