Little Clues That You Might Be Blue

Sometimes it all gets to be a little much. Chasing after kids, commuting to work, running errands and trying to keep the house clean. All work and no play makes Jack or Jill very dull in deed. Actually, the consequences can be much more serious than simple dullness.

If we don't take the time to have fun and restore ourselves, we can get a little edgy. If we put off time for ourselves for too long that edginess can turn into burnout or depression.

Listening to our bodies when they are tired and paying attention to the tone of our voice gives us some good solid data about how we are doing. If you catch yourself yelling at the kids a little too much, rolling your eyes at your spouse, or gritting your teeth and pursing your lips while the boss is talking, you have some solid evidence that your life is not in balance.

Of course, if you have children they are wonderful for reflecting back to you, your current state of mind. One time when driving I honked the horn at someone who cut me off and my older daughter, who was about three at the time, asked from the backseat, "Mommy, is that guy an idiot?" "Ummm. No, sweetie. He just wasn't paying attention."

Oooops. I realized it was time to work on some patience while I was driving.

Whenever you catch yourself acting in ways not consistent with your true patient, loving and kind self take a moment to focus on what it is you are really needing right now. Whether it is more quiet time to read a book, or increasing your patience, maybe a new job or to spend time with friends that you haven't seen in ages, often the first clue that something is wrong is an increase in the number of people and situations that are able to push your buttons.