I’ve learned to say, “No.”

We all learned that word and used it incessantly when we were toddlers.

As adults we have forgotten its importance.

“You’re so busy.”

I get that a lot.

No. I am not “so” busy.

I am, however, very focused.

And thus, I have CHOSEN to say “No” to a few things this Fall.

I’m not disappearing, or pulling back because something is wrong, or needing to run away, or as my gal pal puts it “circling my wagons”. There’s not really drama wrapped up in my recent decisions.

There is, however, the desire to stay sane.

And the desire to avoid chaos and add a bit of simplicity back to our household.

Imagine a shelf. Any shelf. Don’t get too hung up on the style of said shelf, as the shelf is not really the major player of this story. Ok, are you picturing a shelf?

Now, picture that every spot on that shelf is full. With . . . whatever. Canned goods. (Boring.) Books. (Better.) Anything. Skin care. (You seriously don’t need THAT much.)

Let’s all agree on filling our shelf with books. There are NO empty spaces available. You can’t even squeeze another book onto, in between, on top of, or below any other selections already resting comfortably on the shelf. And, there will be no shoving.

Thump. That was a box on the front porch.

Amazon!

New book.

Where will it go?

I hate to break it to you, but this is the ONLY shelf for books. The ONLY place for the book to land. There are NO other shelves available. And no empty space on this one and only book shelf.

No, you are not screwed.

But, something will have to go.

Something will have to be removed to make room for this new edition. (Cool it now . . .)

Nope. I repeat, there is no shoving or jockeying for position.

If you want to add something to the shelf, something else must be removed first.

And really, that’s all I’m doing these days.

I added home-schooling. Off the shelf came writing for Daily Fast Fuel and SlimSavers.

Soon, I begin rehearsing for Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Off the shelf came directing Let It Be.

I hired a cleaning lady. Off the shelf came cleaning my house.

Wait . . . Ok, well, that doesn’t exactly fit.

But, you get the idea.

Listen, when people remark that I’m so “busy”, I get frustrated. Busy connotes a flurry of activity, a bit of chaos, and never having any time . . . (maybe, for them?). Perhaps that’s my own negative take on what people mean when they say I’m “so busy”. But, while my time IS taken up with various activities: home-school, 7th grade homework, karate, indoor hockey, archery club, CBS, Zane’s art class, youth group, rehearsals, reading (for pleasure), planning and cooking meals, my job . . . I, with God’s guidance, CHOOSE WHAT IS ON MY SHELF.

And right now, my shelf is stocked with: my God, my family, and my job/creative endeavors. That’s where HE has me right now.

I have no problem saying “No” to extras because I just listed my priorities, which get my BEST.

“I’m so busy” has become an excuse, don’t you think? An “out”? Not to say I’ve never used it as a means of getting out of something myself, but truly, right now?

I’m NOT soooo busy.

I’m focused.

And thus, my shelf is full. Of the right stuff for me. If I add anything else, something will teeter precariously, and possibly fall off . . . for, THERE IS NO MORE ROOM, and I’m not willing to bump anything off to add another item.

I encourage you . . . to take stock. Especially as new opportunities come before you. Enticing you to believe that you SHOULD add this or that to your life. Because the opportunity is GOOD. (Last I checked, the items I removed were/are also “good”) Check the shelf. If you truly want to add the “Rock Collectors for Jesus” ministry, you may have to remove the “Memes for all Seasons” club.

Contrary to popular thought, humans do NOT multi-task well.

So, choose where you will be, and be 100% there.

And don’t confuse this with balance. (That word is often misused also. I’ll tell ya what – my life and all my responsibilities are NOT in balance. Nope, if anything, I’m a bit dizzy.)

I prefer to fight for FOCUS.

Now, go clean that shelf. It’s a great time of year to have a yard sale before we all hunker down for winter.

It’s OK to remove some of what’s good to make room for other good things . . .

But, too much of a good thing can actually be detrimental.

Gotta go.

‘Cause I’m so busy. ;-)