What Do You Want Most?

I've been trying to catch up on things I've neglected in the past few months. No matter what I do, however, I just can't seem to get ahead. Isn't that always the way of it? ;)

How many of you are in the same predicament? How do you regain momentum when time seems to be against you?

I started the year off by adherring to a strict calendar template of do's and don'ts. Exercise, writing challenges, deadlines, contests, and most important family time were at the heart of my timeline. I've done better at some, than others. Did well exercising for a few months, then slacked off. Stuck to my required writing schedule more than I thought I would. But then other obligations sidelined my efforts. (Pirate! Always distracted by adventure.)

Don't get me wrong. I'm still on task, but the things I've had to focus on lately were not on my schedule. As an example: weeding my garden and planting flowers. That has been on my seasonal agenda but I had just about brushed that off. After purchasing flowers, however, I finally got the urge to see the job through. I've only got a few more plantings to do and then my garden will be ready for the season. Yay! I do love my garden. Next to the ocean, it is my fortress of solitude.

I entered the Maggie's this year and now, with the deadline looming close, must give my entries a final look-over before sending them out to contest coordinators. Thankfully, I'm on schedule here. But no matter how many times you look at writing, it always seems to change, or rather you change and see it with jaded/bejeweled eyes. Why does that happen and why is the rum always gone? ;)

I'm the luncheon coordinator for our local writing chapter, Heart of Dixie. Due to the horrific weather we had nearly one month ago, and the cancellation of our luncheon, I'm back at work trying to pick up the momentum we had up until everything went black. We've got a great team pulling this shindig together so I know it will be a wonderful afternoon for our luncheon guests. And, thankfully, our guest speaker, Kerrelyn Sparks, the venue and our local hotel were able to re-schedule us for that perfect day, next month. Many people have helped to get this event off and running and I'm indebted to them. Still... the luncheon will put a dent in my plans, as well as everyone else's as we all had other things lined up for June. Though we all want to devote our time to this, here again is something that was not on my list. (Man the braces!) ;)

This post is not meant to be a downer. I'm not about negativity. I'm excited about the things in my life. But with the many happenings/events/plans, worry often follows. I have two sons in the service, one overseas and one stationed stateside, plus one SIL-to-be in Afghanistan and a nephew holding down our Texas border, while arresting illegal immigrants and drug cartel, very dangerous indeed. My children are spread all across the world and I miss them terribly. And because of the distance between us, I'm constantly trying to fill the divide. (Rely on a compass that points to what you want most.)

Hubby and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary this past weekend. Woot! At a table nearby was a family with two young daughters. One look was all it took for me to recall the days we sat in a restaurant, all six of us, giggling and enjoying each other's company. Those were adventurous times! This became a precious moment, one making it all too clear I'm getting older and time matters. (Perhaps I need to journey to the fountain of youth.)

My heart is not only focused on my needs, but the collective need around us. There is a great cry for compassion in our country. We don't have to look far to hear the voices calling out to us. Tornadoes in Alabama jolted us aware. Now there is Joplin, Missouri, and Oklahoma too. So many people have made calendars they planned to follow this year, which are now null and void under the circumstances.

The point of this blog today is: you can have all the plans in the world but if you lose focus on what's important, you have nothing at all. I'm dealing with that today.

What has jolted you awake? What strides have you taken to get back on track?

(Schedules can be amended, but stay grounded by keeping a compass that points to what you want most, at the ready. :)