Photo taken of the Minneapolis skyline from North Minneapolis.
I really needed a run today. But it just wasn’t in the cards. Instead, what did I do?
I attended my first ever face to face meeting as an advocate and lobbyist for the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign with a key member of Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison’s team. (It felt strange to be out of my mom uniform of jeans and a t-shirt and actually looking dressed up!). I went shopping for wine and desserts for the Shot@Life party I am hosting at my house next Wednesday. I checked to see if any more of the 120 people I invited to my event responded. I read over the list of activities and duties that are on my plate for next week during the launch of Shot@Life in conjunction with the UN Global Immunization week. I went to my son’s first grade music concert. I picked up one excited daughter after a preschool playmate and tried to play Barbies with her for a few minutes.
Then, I came home and crashed. My energy is drained. My neck and head hurt. I am completely wiped out. I couldn’t even summon up the effort for a run. Instead, I decided that I need to take a few moments and just breathe. Next week is going to be an incredibly exciting week yet very busy. I need to have the energy, motivation and health to go full force into being a walking, talking, writing, blogging advocate for the week.
I feel so silly admitting I’m tired when some mom’s walk over 15 miles carrying their children on their backs in order to provide them with the life-saving vaccines they need. Yet I am only human.
So, after downloading three more photos of posts on Guatemala, I saved my work and left it undone. There will be plenty of time for it later. For now, time to do something I don’t do often. Sit down and do nothing. (Well, at least until the kids finish watching their cartoons and I need to make dinner, give them a bath, read them a book, brush their teeth, tuck them in bed, and lay on the floor for two minutes).
Stay tuned…More Guatemala to come as well as a post on my day as a Shot@Life Advocate and Guest post on Monday, during the official launch week for Shot@Life!
I totally know what u mean when u say u feel silly dealing w ur 1st world life and other moms are physically exerting themselves 10-fold for the basics of life! I think about that a lot but feel exhausted a lot too! You are so brave to be hosting this large event at your home. That would be terrifying to me! I applaud you for giving so much to the causes you champion.
I hope you can get some rest. Sometimes it’s important to do nothing–to save you energy–lest you get sick. Rest can be essential to health. And good luck next week, my friend.
Hugs,
Kathy
Get some rest!
Will try! Did you see the last post on my morning blogs? You were in it!
I’m so embarrassed…I missed that you included me in the inspiration category. Thanks! That’s pretty cool. I started the blog to inspire myself and hopefully I can inspire a few others in the world.
No worries! I write a lot of posts and don’t expect people to read them all. I just do it because I love to write. If people read them and like them, then that is a bonus! I do always read yours but don’t always comment. It isn’t that I don’t want to, just time! What do you do by the way? You never write about yourself on your blog so I don’t know your story. Mine is pretty easy. College educated, french and IR at Madison WI, married since 2000, live in Minneapolis, worked in sales, quit to have kids. Now stay at home mom, turned blogger, writer and volunteer extraordinaire with a 5 and 7 year old. What’s next, who knows! That is what keeps life interesting and sure beats my old life in corporate america!
I went to college and loved it. Stayed until I acquired 3 degrees. During that time I worked many jobs. After I left school I worked at a newspaper, high school, and an university. Nothing too exciting. Most recently I moved with my spouse, who was transferred, to London. Now I’m working on finishing my first novel. I don’t miss working in an office at all. I hated all the politics and backstabbing. I was too honest and didn’t fit in. The kids must keep you busy! We only have a dog and a cat.
Wow, working on a book! How cool! I actually started one two years ago and worked on it for almost a year, getting four chapters and one hundred pages written. I was doing this with a 3 and 5 year old at the time and it became too much. Too much work, stress, etc. Then I decided to go for writing my blog. I love the feedback and connections I make. I’m not sure if I’ll go back and try to finish my book or not. I would hate to put so much time and effort into it and never get it published. Then again there have been a lot of self-published books that have done extremely well. If I do, then that will most likely be my route. I like to do things my way which is why I love writing the blog. I can write whatever I want, whenever I want and don’t have to change things! Good luck!!!! And yes, the kids are a lot of work but wonderful!!!!
I am full of admiration for how you manage to keep on top of all those things? Do take care Nicole!