Lately, I’ve been running on empty.
I think I’ve known it for some time now, but because there were always so many things that needed to get done in a day, I just kept pushing.
I’m pretty sure every other momma out there knows exactly what I’m talking about. Especially the multi tasking mommas, and the working mommas, and the stay at home mommas, and the breastfeeding mommas, and the mommas who run their own businesses, cook, clean, take care of their babies, and have households to run, and marriages to nurture. I’m sure it’s even harder for the mommas who are doing it all on their own…those mommas are actually poppas too…they are the kinda mommas who have even less time on their own because they do it all on their own with very little help from anyone…
But don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. I’m just well aware of the fact that sometimes, I bite off way more than I can chew. It’s just par for the course for a momma of four who tries to be hands on.
Last week I went to Bali for a the Best Buddies Asia Pacific Oceania Forum.
Yes, I said Bali.
But believe you me, when I say it was mostly work. I didn’t get to sit by the pool, or the beach, or even that sit that still for very long. It was an intimate gathering of seven country directors, program managers, and faculty advisors sharing what works for them in their perspective chapters.
It was enlightening, and inspiring. It was the sharing of ideas that had me taking notes, writing things down, and texting friends back home for help with new projects that I wanted to start with my buddies.
The days leading up to the forum were hectic, at best. Preparing for the kids to be left with my parents, picking up my passport last minute, sending Nino and Gia off to Bacolod, and making sure everyone had everything they needed, so I could be completely present and in the conference room where I would be sitting and hoping to learn more about different ways to further inclusion back home.
I learned a TON.
@bestbuddiesasiapac Jacinta Chau from #BestBuddiesMacau shares her experience with her Citizen Program. #BestBuddiesAsiaPac A photo posted by BestBuddiesPHL (@bestbuddiesphl) on
And I promise to tell you more about what I learned in the coming months with different activities I hope to do with DLSZ Best Buddies.
BUT, I also learned just how tired I was. I came home on the red eye from Bali at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning. I hugged all my kiddies that were home, and then slept for a long time. When I woke up, I prepared for the family vacation that I have been looking forward to since July when my sister, my parents, Nino, and I planned for sem break.
I have said once before how salt water is incredibly healing and therapeutic. Going to the beach is something I look forward to because I feel like it’s the time when I can hit the “pause” button. Maybe, I can even call it the “reset” button. It’s the time that I use to slow down. The sound of the ocean waves, the sand between my toes, and the smell of the salt water has a calming effect on me.
I can recharge.
And this morning?
This morning was probably the best way that I could Relax, Recharge, and Reset.
Gelli woke up this morning pretty early. (earlier than usual) But when she woke up, she was sweet as pie, turned to me and said two things. She said she wanted to see her Ninang, and she wanted to build a sand castle. So, we knocked on Ninang’s door, and laid on the swing until the sun came up.
And we started our morning with Gelli playing in the sand.
Relaxing.
Recharging.
and Resting…(even if it was 5am)
And I realized that I needed exactly that…I needed quiet time with Gellibean. Quiet time to be thankful for another sunrise. Quiet time to reflect on the past few days. Quiet time to be grateful that I could hit the pause button, spend some time with the family, and remember why I do everything I do…
The running ragged part? That just means I need to be better organized…I can still manage it all with a little help from my friends and family…
The recharging part?
Well, I got that when I saw Gelli playing in the sand trying to build her castle…
How do you Rest, Relax, and Recharge?
