Dear Friends,
My life is like a pie, and if I could choose my favorite it would be cherry, apple, coconut cream, or lemon meringue.
But here’s the hard part. When I slice my pie into sections, should I make each slice equal?
Should some be larger and some smaller?
I’m a writer, mom, wife, employee, speaker, friend, golfer, pickleball player (yes, that’s new!), reader, house cleaner, checkbook keeper, teacher, grandmother and great-grandmother (yup, Aubree is two already!).
Is it even possible to make the slices equal? I just turned 60 and took a look at my life. There were times when raising children took a HUGE piece of my pie. Then there were times when I was getting a business off the ground with my second husband and we worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
But what about finding a slice of time to exercise? To read and relax? To enjoy coffee with a friend? I have to re-slice my pie all the time. Maybe you do too? Your pie today may include taking care of a parent, working 40 or more hours a week, having a baby, moving into a home or apartment. Down the road it might be something different.
God wants us to take what he gives us and make the best of it and I do believe that means keeping our minds and hearts open to where he wants us to go and what he wants us to do.
My pie slices look a lot like this right now:
a big piece for teaching workshops at upcoming conferences, another big piece for revising the balance of my novel to get it to my agent soon, and smaller pieces for all the other things going on in my life. Sometimes I re-slice monthly or weekly. Sometimes I wake up and have a day all planned and then something comes along and I spend hours doing something else. Ever have that happen to you?
What are you slicing your pie into these days?
No matter how you slice it, most of all, enjoy your pie. Relish each bite of every big piece and every little piece. God wants it that way.
Hugs to you,
B.J.
www.bjtaylor.com
I love this post. You really have a way of simplifying concepts. Thank you. I’ve been thinking about how I’m dividing up my time lately. This helps.
XO
Julie,
Ahhhh…my Georgia peach friend. You must bake a lot of pies? Next time you slice one, set a little piece aside for me and we’ll chat on the phone again and catch up. And while we talk you can eat both mine and yours!
Hugs and warm peaches and cream,
B.J.
Nice blog, BJ. My slices of the pie? Many: writing, editing other authors’ work, director of the Montrose Christian Writers’ Conference (Have the faculty lined up!), and in the process of adopting another poochie from the local no-kill shelter since we had to put Skippy down about 6 wks. ago. Oh, yeah, and then there’s taking care of our other pooch, Mr. Bailey, and hubby.
Marsha,
Yes, indeed, as Shawnelle mentioned below: life is indeed rich and sweet. And incredibly full, as evidenced in your post. I love that you are rescuing another poochie and I’ll just bet Skippy is showing you the way from doggie heaven (just over the Rainbow Bridge). Mr. Bailey will surely be one happy pup with a new best friend.
Enjoy every single slice of your pie.
Best,
B.J.
Let’s see…wife, mother, teacher, writer, daughter, sister., friend…goes on and on! I guess that means life is rich and sweet. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy each slice. Love you, BJ!
Shawnelle,
Life is indeed sweet and rich. Ever see the Life is Good little stick man? I have him on a tee shirt, a wall hanging, and a mug. Life is very good indeed.
Hugs to you,
B.J.
Well, dear B.J., you surely did hit me where it hurts. My pie is somewhere around 3/4 write, speak, write, teach, write. The other quarter is read, sleep, play, family, church, everything else. Thank you for challenging me to bake a new pie and divide it more wisely. Thank you!
~ Kay
Kay,
Ahhh..it is you who has always challenged me! I learned from you to portion out my time. Sometimes I lose my way and the pie goes out of balance, but for the most part I am learning to realign and reslice daily (if need be). Thanks for reading the blog! See you soon at Mount Hermon!
B.J.