Normal is Just a Dryer Setting

A dear friend who knows me well gave me a new mug for Christmas. It sports the perfect shade of pink along with a saying quite relevant to my current season of life, “around here, NORMAL is just a DRYER SETTING.”

The last couple of months have been full of activity. I am thankful for every minute of November and December and was sad to see the holidays end. However, when the new year rolled in, I found myself both excited to embark on some new adventures and also anxious to slip into a “NORMAL” routine … whatever “NORMAL” means.

I have been chasing after “NORMAL” for quite some time. This desire went hand-in-hand with my quest for “the B word” (BALANCE). After journaling about this issue for nearly 15 years, I finally decided in January 2017 that it was time to get serious; I was sick of my mess. My goal was to get my life in order by the time I turn 50. I only have a few months to go and am still not there, but I feel like I have made some pretty great progress.

Over the past year, I have learned a lot about myself and the way I manage my time. Looking back over last year’s plan, I can see which strategies helped, which strategies are no longer necessary and which strategies I need to exert more discipline in so that success can be achieved.

I’ve started 2018 out as determined as ever to find BALANCE and to decide what “NORMAL” is. I have a new pink planner with gold sparkles which is sure to inspire and to guard against failure. I am also motivated by some dreams I hope to achieve this year, but in order to make those dreams become realities, I have to find TIME to accomplish them.

So, here I go, anticipating this to be a great year. I have written down my list of non-negotiables (things I must do on a regular basis)—study the Bible, pray, exercise, work at the office, blog, journal, manage the house in various ways, rest and sleep. I made a schedule with my non-negotiables so that I can also find time to work on those dreams I have.

I’ve set several goals this year. I’ll continue working on time management and self-control while finding time to work on my dreams. I’ll be spending more time in prayer and continuing to be flexible and willing to change my plans as God opens my eyes to opportunities to join in what he’s doing. I’ll keep striving to find better balance between work and rest, between self and others and between spending time with people and working on projects to help people.

I will not beat myself up when my life cannot adhere to my paper schedule. Rather I will find contentment, if I can become steadfast in keeping my focus on Jesus, staying yoked to him, being unified with his Spirit and bringing glory to God by pointing others to him through Jesus. That is the “NORMAL” I hope for in 2018.