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By Colleen Langenfeld
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I had a dream the other night.Newborn's Feet Cradled in Parent's Hand

I was Supermom. I had it all. Comfortable lifestyle, cute
kids, great husband.

And I felt trapped.

Huh?

In talking with other moms, I learn this feeling is the norm
more than the exception. We want it all, but don’t have our
own personal definition of ‘all’. Which is a problem. If
we’re achieving based on others’ expectations, we’re bound
to come to a time of disappointment. On the other hand,
genuinely discovering our own journey is time-expensive and
not backed by some sort of cosmic guarantee!

A wise woman once said to me that when you hang on so tight
you’re squeezing, things are slipping through your fingers
anyway. Hm.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you just let go?

Let go of…

– perfectionism.
– keeping up.
– being right all the time.
– a particular body image.
– the illusion of total time control.

Now, please hear what I’m NOT saying.

– I’m not saying to stop being responsible.
– I’m not saying to stop planning, goal getting and
achieving.
– And I’m absolutely not saying to stop dreaming!

But after we plan and consequently set our plans in motion,
I think we need to do a reality check.

– Toddlers often don’t potty-train on schedule.
– Teenagers aren’t always interested in bonding during our
appointed ‘quality time’.
– Husbands often have schedules (and ideas) of their own.
– The car rarely breaks down when you DON’T need it.
– Our career planning makes sense on paper, but classes
three nights a week for two years plus fulltime work and
raising a family can choke the life out of anybody!

Letting go is about getting a firm grip on our expectations
and being flexible even when life goes careening out of
control. It’s about understanding that time management is a
tool and a guideline, not a straitjacket. Most importantly,
letting go is about building reality into our life dreams.
For example…

We can pad our schedules with extra time for the daily
adventures of life or we can be continually stressed. Our
choice.

We can DECIDE what success means to each of us individually
and set our sights accordingly, stubbornly refusing to
settle for someone else’s version of happiness.

We can accept that we get 24 hours each day to…make things
happen, laugh a little, love a lot, and learn to know when
to call it a day.

What am I really saying? That we can learn how to focus on
what truly counts for each of us, plan our energies
accordingly, and then enjoy the fruits and near-fruits of
our labors. We may find that our dreams will be a bit
tempered and our actual days will soar with astonishing
accomplishment.

And maybe even…joy.

Copyright Colleen Langenfeld 2004
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Colleen Langenfeld offers helpful ideas to busy working
moms. Use our resources at http://www.paintedgold.com to
make your life feel easier, healthier, and smarter now!

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