"Too much on the plate"

[coriolis]

"I/he/she has to much on my/his/her plate"

I'm getting tired of hearing that saying.

[Miss Mary]

Ed - I had too much on my plate, over 5 years ago when diagnosed with cancer. I was forced to clear that plate! And guess what? I found that saying no isn't as hard as you think. When it comes right down to it, what really is important - your health, your family, your source of income. Trying to keep up with others isn't important. I've since continued saying no and find that my plate is about 1/3 full. So I can no longer say my plate has too much on it.

And sometimes people have too much on their plate thrive on having too much on their plate - they are overachievers. My daughters have classmates like that. It starts somewhere in school and continues on into college and your adult life I suspect.

In our family we've learned to slow down and appreciate watching a movie together, going camping (husband and one daughter are roughing it tonight as I type), reading a good book or cuddling with the dog.

I sometimes feel sorry for people who can't or won't slow down. Life is too short to be that busy!

Mary

[coriolis]

That's true, Mary, and that's a good reminder. I was just saying that people will use that saying instead of saying "I'm busy."

One does have to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the little things, or else you get nuts.