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Family Matters: When you lose sight of your goals... |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2016 : 8:54:19 PM
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Anyone else been here?
I feel like I've gotten so far off course from my goals, I'm lost! Eight years ago, I was doing my farmgirl thing and wanting to pay off all of our debts. Well, now I haven't been doing my farmgirl stuff at all and STILL haven't paid off our debt! UGH!
I used to can every season, have a garden, sew, crochet, and do all the things that I really enjoy. Then, I joined a direct sales company and everything pretty much got ignored on the farm. All of my spare time went to that and I haven't canned in probably two years now and my sewing room is covered in dust.
I loved having Farmgirl meetings at my house and now I may have one or two a year.
Not complaining, just feeling adrift today.
FarmGirl #1390 www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7110 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7110 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2016 : 03:26:44 AM
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Amanda, I know what you are talking about. We set goals for ourselves, and before we know it life gets in the way; years later we wake up to find somewhere along the way we lost our true selves. You're back on track now so re-group and dust your canning equipment off. Jubilee is the perfect time to express your FarmGirl attitude.
In the Old Testament Jubilee happened every fifty years and property sold went back to the original family or one of the twelve tribes. That way generation after generation families and tribes held on to their inheritress. I think our Jubilee is a good time for us all to come back to who we really are and to do what we really enjoy.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14 FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2016 : 05:37:52 AM
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Amanda, don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes I think we all have seasons in our lives when time and opportunity merge to allow us to do certain things. But then life changes and time seems to be full of many other tasks and we just don't have the energy to keep everything the same as before. Perhaps now, you can see some time to get back to a few of those activities that meant so much to you in the past?
I love Sara's idea that using our upcoming Jubilee might be a good returning point to some of your favorite activities. Maybe a new apron and one skein of pretty yarn to crochet a dishcloth can get you started? Little steps that seem easy and manageable are easier to incorporate while you figure out what your time availability will be with your current job responsibilities. Above all, MJF is here to participate at whatever level you have time to do. You have brought up a subject that we all can identify with and I feel certain you are not alone in wishing you could find the time to get back to some activities that bring you the most enjoyment. Good luck developing a new path for yourself and keep us posted on what is happening. We can all learn together here on tackling this problem of time and energy. Thanks for leading the pack!!
Winnie #3109 Red Tractor Girl Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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notathreatinsight
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
Erin
Monroeville
IN
USA
626 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2016 : 05:39:37 AM
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Amanda, I know what you mean. I feel like that often. It usually helps me if I make a list of my goals. Getting ideas out there in the physical world as opposed to just floating around in my head. Pen to paper. Probably about 2 or 3 times a year I write out what needs to be improved in my life. This doesn't always equal immediate improvement, but it helps me to focus on what I want/need to accomplish.
Erin Farmgirl #3762
"It is... through the world of the imagination which takes us beyond the restrictions of provable fact, that we touch the hem of truth." - Madeleine L'Engle |
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1498 Posts
Rae
MN
1498 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2016 : 07:43:31 AM
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Amanda I can relate very much to you. Hoping in months since you posted that things are more in tune. Personally I am "cleaning up" my lifestyle and just getting back to a more basic lifestyle. Too much junk/clutter and too much money wasted and debt. In the last 6 months readjusting priorities. For me #1 if trusting God to lead me daily. When I try control things never seem to work out so learning to trust. By doing so learning I don't NEED a lot of things that I wanted. It is hard some days changing but think my goals will stay clearer and I can accomplish them better.
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:... Isaiah 40:31
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Edited by - Old Spirit on Jul 05 2016 08:29:27 AM |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2016 : 07:23:59 AM
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Oh my goodness, Amanda, girls: YES! I have been in this mode for a couple of years now. Life has a way of taking over when even the best of plans have been laid. My mantra lately is: Be kind to yourself. Do the best you can, know it was the best, and smile! You WILL get there. Just remember that some of the most exciting journeys happen when we get sidetracked, miss turns and hit dead ends. It may be different, but it's still a journey just the same. Just think about the good things you would have missed had you been able to stay focused and on track!
Sarah, I'm with Winnie - you are RIGHT ON with Jubilee, sister! Best part? I'm fifty! Guess I should make this an extra special Jubilee year, on all counts! I'll get right on that! Thank you!
Rae, I am SO with you. Everything has been tossed to the wayside over the past couple of years. I told my husband recently I just have such an overwhelming need to streamline, downsize and declutter. Starting this week, every day, I'm going through cupboards, closets and spare rooms. I've decided that even if I get through only one bag of garbage, one box of donations and give-aways, and one box of goodies to resell every day, I will have things in order and the house will be echoing peacefully again in no time. I just don't have the time to tackle big projects all at once right now, but picking away at jobs, one small area or section at a time, will be so much better and less overwhelming. One day at a time, one step at a time... I swear, I'm going to do it! :)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Marilyn Hartman Sullivan
True Blue Farmgirl
1138 Posts
Marilyn
Oxford
PA
USA
1138 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2016 : 08:58:42 AM
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Every time I throw something away or donate it to the local thrift -- I SMILE!!!!!
Farmgirl #6318 "Where there's a will -- there's probably a family fight." |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13664 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13664 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2016 : 10:18:59 AM
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Amanda, Boy do I identify! I lost sight when, within six months of retiring, I started dealing with complicated and significant health challenges. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I'm STILL in this muddle, STILL trying to find a medical professional who can help me. In the meantime, my goals have been significantly challenged, adjusted and changed! It's amazing the bumps and hurdles that life presents us with . . . I'm trying to handle mine with grace and dignity and sometimes feel like I fail miserably. Hang in there, Amanda . . . and all you other farmgirls! cJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665. 2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9436 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9436 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2016 : 2:16:28 PM
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I have found that goals are great but hold them loosely. Other things are brought into our lives for a time and for a purpose. We can always get back on the path to our goals and appreciate the things we learn along the way on those side tracks.
~Denise~ Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/ http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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Farmgirlquilting
True Blue Farmgirl
79 Posts
Angie
Ft Meade
FL
79 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2016 : 05:47:28 AM
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Amanda- I have been where you are.... if you are a person that works well from Lists-- find the book "Eat that Frog." It is all about how to organize your day using Lists.... it truly made a difference in my home life and my work life! Just remember... if you fall off the goal wagon... get back on where you are and keep going!
Angie Gordon #6966 FGOTM June 2016 farmgirlquilting@gmail.com http://farmgirlquilting.blogspot.com |
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ceridwen
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Carole
New York
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2016 : 07:14:13 AM
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I like what everyone has said. There are some great advice here. I would like to add that perhaps it's about setting boundaries. Boundaries allow us time to focus on our other priorities. It's easy to get wrapped up in something and neglect ourselves. By setting boundaries, you can slowly go back to taking care of yourself and doing the things you love.
Wishing you all the best! Cheers!
Carole Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011 http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com http://www.fibrejunction.com |
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marjean
True Blue Farmgirl
3857 Posts
Marsha
Deltona
FL
USA
3857 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2016 : 08:58:18 AM
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I'm with you on this one too Amanda. I'm like CeeJay. For the last 12 years I've been fighting to get my health back to a level where I can live life and travel and just do things I used to again. The first 8 were the most awful years of my life with my health that is. Then, God opened a door and helped me find a doctor who knew how to get me back among the living. He died suddenly at the age of 78 of sepsis. Boy did that throw me for a loop. But, God did not leave me hanging in mid-air. I was referred to another excellent doctor near me and she is helping me slowly regain a measure of health that allows me to enjoy the things I used to in baby steps.
I am easily side tracked from my goals and path when put under pressure. It happened to me recently by my new doctor with a treatment for Lyme and other health issues. I want to get well so badly that I bit the bait of the devil and lost my focus. Thankfully, God is always there to remind me you are not staying true to your heart.
After, reading many articles and bible scriptures I am now back on track with my true goals. Money can easily entangle us as it does many when we want something so badly but it is just out of our reach. I stopped and realized that I have everything I need. I am never without the basic things I need and that is just what God promises us he will do if we keep him first in our life.
I"m not saying you did this. I'm just telling my story in hopes it will help others remember what is most important in life.
Part of my goals too where to pay off debt and simplify my life by cleaning up the clutter.
I am doing a series on my blog about it. If, you want to join me here is the thread about it on the forum:
http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=76160
My next series will be on how to pay off debt and stay on track.
Farmgirl sister #308 Book Lover Gifts: Etsy Shops: http://www.marketsofsunshine.com/p/member-classifieds.html Free Bible Research www.jw.org Improve your health without pills: www.mjaramillo.bemergroup.com |
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Family Matters: When you lose sight of your goals... |
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