"Continuing the Resolutions tour..."
Today I have the giving and caring Jamie Brazil on my blog talking about volunteering.
author: Jamie Brazil title: Something’s Gotta Give
Like many women,
I often put my own needs last. Recently,
I began clawing back hours of my life.
How? By withdrawing from many outside obligations, including some of my
volunteer activities.
I belong to two
nonprofit organizations. Both groups are
equally important to me and giving up either one of them would leave a hole in
my life. Yet last month, I debated a long
time over whether or not to renew one of these memberships. In the end I did renew, but with a
condition. I made a promise to myself to
step down from a position, and for the remainder of this year I cannot, WILL NOT, volunteer.
For anything. While I know
organizations count on members to move the group forward, personally, 2012 felt
like I fell behind.
An old Chinese
proverb says, do not empty your bowl to
overfill another’s.
If my rice bowl
had a gas gauge it would be running on fumes. (Sorry about the mixed metaphor.)
Cutting back on
the ways I volunteer is just one of the ways I’ve resolved to save time. Watching less TV, skipping some family
events, and setting limits on the hours I spend online are also on the list.
Because in order to be the writer I envision myself to be, I need to
focus.
Just because I’m
cutting back doesn’t mean I’m moving into a cave. While I might not judge
writing contest entries this year, I’ll still swap pages with critique
partners, and host a literary salon or two. It’s all about choosing ways to participate
without feeling like I’m putting my own goals last.
For 2013 I’m
looking for balance. My goal? All rice
bowls don’t have to be overflowing if there’s enough to satisfy everyone’s
needs.
I'm also including a list of all 9 bloggers and their resolution:
THE RESOLUTION TOUR - January 1 - 9, 2013
Maggie Jaimeson - Take a Vacation
Jessa Slade - Get Organized
Paty Jager - Volunteerism
Linda Mercury - Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life
Jenna Bayley-Burke - Eat Healthier
Cassiel Knight - No More Procrastination
Cathryn Cade - Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions
Su Lute - Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss
Jamie Brazil - Shrink My Closet
The best way to support authors you like is to friend and fan them on social media sites. If you enjoy the posts from this tour please show your appreciation by liking or becoming a friend or fan. Thank you for stopping in and visiting.
Stop by and see what I have to say about procrastination here: http://cassielknight.net/?p=42
4 comments:
Thanks for having me on your blog today.
Jamie, you hit the nail on the head (or in my case whupped me on the side of the head) with this one. I have a hard time saying "no" and then over commit. This is an important lesson you are teaching/learning. Thanks for this post.
I love your quote "An old Chinese proverb says, do not empty your bowl to overfill another’s."
You are the 2nd person who has said that they cut back on TV watching... I want to have that resolution but I'm addicted to so many shows :-(
I admire your self will.
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