Saturday, April 16, 2011

"N" is for Neglectful....


I have been neglectful of my blogging responsibilities. The dictionary defines neglect as giving little attention or respect to; to leave it undone on unattended to.


Well, that sounds harsh and by nature, that definitely is not my style. Anyone who knows me would verify that.

Fact of the matter is, after years of perfectionist behaviors and trying to be all to everybody I’ve realized, once again that is beyond the realm of possibilities for my existence. If you know me, I’m certain you are applauding and cheering!

I have freed myself from the bonds of expectations…now is that a fleeting momentary grant? Or will the desire seep into my true core of being?

Only time will reveal the truth.

I’m trying to ‘do it all’ at this very moment; be the perfect teacher, be the perfect mother and wife, be the perfect steward, be the perfect writer and blogger, sell my book, blah, blah, blah. It was only through a blog friend; Maggie at Just between You and Me! did I realize I needed to follow the advice I gave her; give yourself permission to be human.

Definitely my Ah-HAH moment!

So am I truly neglectful?

NO, just a normal woman trying not to disappoint!

"You can ask forgiveness of others, but in the end the real forgiveness is in one's own self."
by Maya Angelou 

31 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

you deserve some time to yourself and to just be YOU! not "i can do all things" you. :)

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Thoughtful post, and one that many of us can relate to. I know that I am very hard on myself...much to the dismay of my family and friends. You have given me an ah-ha moment too!
Have a good weekend!
Courtney

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great post, Trac.... YES---we are all human and we are all imperfect... I too have that 'inside need' to do it ALL... I was a workaholic all of my working life... I wanted to be perfect in every respect.. GADS!!!!

Blogging --for all of us should be fun and something we enjoy doing. IF it becomes a burden, then we are doing something wrong... (I need to keep telling myself that also--when I feel guilty for not commenting EVERY day!)

Just relax and take life one step at a time. If some things don't get done, that is okay. Give yourself permission to be HUMAN. (I'll try to do the same.)

Hugs,
Betsy

The Words Crafter said...

Yes, relax! I've had to take some days off the challenge and will again, I'm sure, before it's over with.

There are some things that should and must come first. If this becomes a burden or a 'have to' then, for me, it's a sign I need to step back and gain perspective.

Unplug. Take the weekend off. Enjoy your family! And breathe.....

Linda said...

I can relate to this post. It's an every day renewal of the commitment. Sometimes I'm better at it than other times.

Author Joshua Hoyt said...

Wonderful post and I agree it is so important that we allow ourselves to be human. This message is something I really need at this time in my life thanks for the words of wisdom.

Sylvia K said...

Oh, yes! A wonderful post indeed and I, too, do so relate! Something I have to remind myself of each and every day -- accept the fact that you're human and cut yourself a little slack! Easier said than done, of course, but I'm working on it! Thanks for the reminder! Enjoy your weekend!

Sylvia

KathyA said...

Glad you had this epiphany! :)

Old Kitty said...

Yay for embracing your humanity!!!! Have a great weekend!! Take care
x

Rae said...

Great post and wise words.

MunirGhiasuddin said...

You are a teacher and that is perfect in it's own right. As for blogging, I would not want you to make it a responsibility. Hey it is something that comes right from withiin you. Don't force yourself to do that. I have not been bloggin until lat evenings. The tragedy at the Hudson river has effected all of Orange county residents in New York. It is hard to concentrate on any thing. So, you are not neglecting any thing. like Old Kitty puts it, Yay fo embracing humanity !!!

June said...

Great write Tracy!!! It is difficult to find the balance in life isn't it? I struggle with it everyday. Your post has got me thinking.....
big hugs...

George The Lad said...

Great post, but if it feels like a chore step back, I am finding the older I get the more I am doing it.
You need "Me Time" I call it, looks like you have seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
Have a Good Week
Jan a nd George xxx

Karen Thomason/Gordon Setter Crossing said...

Let me know if it works...maybe I'll try it!

Rita said...

Yes; I love that...give yourself permission to be human. As I am not a young chick anymore; I celebrated 70 in December, I finally am seeing that place and giving me permission. Why didn't I think of doing that many years ago when I was beating myself up trying to do it all. Take my advice and do it now; no one is going to do it for you. Lovely post how you incorporated the N.
HAppy weekend,
Rtia

Alison Miller said...

Hey - you sound like me! I've been neglectful of many things too.

Great post! New follower from A-Z! Nice to meet you!

Connie said...

We can't be all things to all people, no matter how hard we try. I agree with you. We have to be able to accept that we have limits and can't meet the expectations of every one else. Nice post, Tracy. :)

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Let's face it.....there just aren't enough hours in the day for every single thing we want to do or have to do.

Have a nice weekend!

Bish Denham said...

Blogging is not the most important thing in ones life. And much as I love it, once this Challenge comes to an end, my cruising around and meeting people and "chatting" with them is going to s-l-o-w waaaaaay dooooowwwwwnnnn.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Give yourself a break!!!We are always more hard on ourselves than we would be on any of our friends!! And there is no rule that says how often you have to post. If you try to post every day when you are too busy, it will take all the fun out of it and make it work!!! Just check in at least once a week, more if you feel like it, no one will quit reading.

Joanna said...

I realized I had my limitations a few years ago - but it's so hard to accept. 'Everyone else' seemed to be able to do it all, but I tried SO hard and couldn't do it and just wasn't happy with myself. The funny thing is, my standards were self inflicted, no one else expected me to be super woman. Just me. One day I just stopped trying to be something i wasn't and ever since I have been so happy; the house is still clean (enough), tidy (enough), meals are still edible and nutritious, the kids are happier, and my husband is definitely happier now his wife is less manic.

And i don't think I'm a bad person as a result of lowering that ridiculously high bar!

x

FANCY the Red Standard Poodle said...

Hi Y'all,

Have to go talk to my Human! I'm a dog and if she has time to be Human...do I get time to be just "dog"? hmmmm...

Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog

Mickey Burdick said...

Stopping by for A-Z. Such a great post - But Neglectful has such a harsh connotation. Don't kill yourself over a blog. Now, if you decided to blog instead of say, feed your kids, then I could see the word Neglect entering the discussion. Remember that writing is something you enjoy!
Great post though - I'll be following for more.

Out on the prairie said...

I don't follow any particular schedule most of my week.

karen said...

Absolutely awesome post. You have given me an ah- HaH moment as well...and thank you for your candidness.

mamahasspoken said...

IDK, I think you're doing a great job keeping up with the blog. Me on the other hand....

Arkansas Patti said...

Glad you have made peace with your humanity. I tried to blog daily but pretty soon it became a lot like work. Now I post twice a week, if I have something and it is now fun again. Dial life down to comfortable. Aaahhh.

Manzanita said...

If we didn't have to sleep, we could all be perfect and get it all in. They just don't make enough hours in a day. :)
Happy weekend.

Unknown said...

I used to be a type "A" but, I have deliberately slowed down to take in what each and every day offers me and be grateful for what I am given to savor. kt

Talli Roland said...

I hear you. I try to do everything, but realised something's gotta give! Just do what you can and don't stress... we all understand if blogging has to take a back seat sometimes!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Hi Tracy so kind of you to mention me in this post. I appreciate you very much and understand how your feeling except I don't have a book to sale but would love to have that problem. hahaha
Speaking of which I just purchased your book. Can not wait to receive it. Wonder how long it takes.
Still would love for you to promote your book on my site.
Love ya
Maggie