Busy as a Bumblebee

This weekend is Easter weekend, and sadly the first thing that came to mind was "Thank goodness for the extra days off! I can get so much done!" Those two days hold so much in the palms of their hands; math homework, practicing music, job shadowing, ISU projects, sleeping, family and studying. Is it such a good thing that life is so full that it is bursting at the seams? Is it healthy that people never ever slow down unless they have to?

I think North American society has forgotten and underestimated the value of being able to take a break and breathe. Due dates and To-do lists are so important in production and getting the job done is crucial to success. No one has time to think about themselves anymore because they are so focused on producing, perfecting and moving on to the next project. Time is money, or so they say, and time needs to be used in a productive manner which does not include chilling on your deck or taking the dog for a walk. Those things don't make money and therefore are no longer important to us.
But is money really that important when your relationships with people fall apart because you are too exhausted to put any effort into them? Or when you are too busy to put the proper time into a job so that it is well done? What about when you no longer have time for those who are important to you? I think at that point you are no longer productive and everything you have worked for has gone down the drain.

There was one lesson I learned about life in Haiti, and that was that humans come first, work comes second. The most important aspect in life for those people is relationships. Who cares if a job doesn't get done when in the process you made a new life long friend? Yes Haitians work incredibly hard, and having a job is necessary in life, but when work consumes you to the point of never being home, not being able to leave your cellphone off, and losing friends, it just isn't worth it anymore. Humans naturally crave relationships and thrive in them, so why write those same relationships off as miniscule and trivial?
Staying even just a week in Haiti was eye opening to the idea that a slow lifestyle that follows a steady routine is productive, but at the same time is relaxing and not stressful. There isn't a constant competition to produce the best or to make the most money, and its a refreshing perspective that more people need to experience.
It is well said by the artist Brad Paisley;
"It was time well wasted, and there's no way I'd trade a few more things that I could've crossed off my list for a day that I'll never forget. No I didn't get a thing done, but I sure soaked up every minute of a memory we were making and I count it all as time well wasted."

So the next time you are looking at a full calender and wondering how on earth you will ever get everything done, I challenge you to pause and breathe. I challenge you to see if you can book a day in your crazy life to just relax and enjoy the spring weather. Go for a walk with someone you haven't talked to in a while, or read a book out in your backyard! You can't be productive if you are worn out mentally, physically and emotionally. Believe me, if you work hard and make relationships a top priority in life, then that mountain of tasks that are looming ahead will be cut down to size.