“I love the illusion of being able to do it all, and I’m fascinated with people who seem to do that, who have challenging careers and beautiful homes and vibrant minds and well-tended abs. Throw in polite children and a garden, and I’m coming over for lessons.” (Shauna Niequist)
The vicious mantra of our world is three simple words: DO. EVERYTHING. BETTER.
First, I am supposed to DO. Perform. Accomplish. Behave. “Make it happen.” Push. “Get ‘er done.” Move. Cross-off.
Second, I am supposed to do EVERYTHING. Exercise. Eat healthy. Vote. Brush teeth. Make friends. Manage social media. Keep learning. Stay neat. Be spiritual. Dress appropriately. Make money. Recycle. Manage time. Serve others. Dream big. Sleep.
Third, I am supposed to do everything BETTER. Exercise in the best way for my particular body style and shape. Buy a tracking device for my wrist. Make completely nutritious and delicious meals from scratch and chew more slowly so that digestion happens correctly. March for and give to my favorite social justice cause without offending anyone. Brush twice AND floss once every day AND go to the dentist twice a year for regular cleanings. Create meaningful and long-lasting relationships with diverse people groups. Keep my social media to a minimum while remaining completely engaged with those in my networks. Take a class AND possibly teach one myself. Listen to life-changing podcasts. Read a book a week. Have carefully marked and organized spaces for everything I own and put all of it where it’s supposed to go as soon as I am finished with it. Go to church regularly. Read a daily devotional first thing every morning. Pray. Give. Be in a small group. Be like Jesus, for goodness sake. Purchase and wear clothes that are fashionable and reasonable. Change them throughout the day depending the weather and what you are doing and NEVER EVER sleep in them (I have pajamas for that). Get a good-paying job AND make sure to invest in wise places to secure my future. Take out life insurance. Rinse out every bottle and remove all the wrapping before I place it in the bin. Acquire an electric car. NEVER waste time. Check all the boxes off my list every day because I am doing all the right things at the right time and in the right amount of time. Serve the homeless at a soup kitchen and donate all my unused clothes seasonally (make sure I wash them first). Create space every day for the pursuit of my passions. Find a vocation that fits my personal purpose. Guiltily remind myself that it takes 10,000 hours of complete dedication to master a skill. Sleep without interruption for 8 hours every single night. There are no excuses.
STRESS CLOSES IN LIKE A MONSTER, CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF ME!
DO. EVERYTHING. BETTER.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The gentle lilt of Jesus is this:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with ME and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-29 The Message Version)
BIG SIGH FOR MY HEART. I need this today and every day.
The Dolly Mama 
So in my crazy mind I just realized that I have lots more stuff I need to do. Oh Lord help me ! It’s funny how my mind filters things and comes up with the same final verdict …. I am not enough.
I need to reflect and embrace those words of encouragement from Jesus ! Thanks Esther for reminding me that Jesus isn’t telling me to DO. EVERYTHING.BETTER .
He is telling me to embrace His unforced rythyms of Grace ! I can exhale now ………
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YES! YES!!!
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I feel that a big part of this issue starts with childhood. parents push children to be the best, where what we need to do is encourage them to be the best version of him/herself. We forget that each person is different and what is the best, is not always perfect. that the best for one will be not enough for another and yet for others that same amount it way beyond their reach.
I also believe that often times this falls more on women because of the combination of the historical precedent of expectations on top of the want to be successful outside the home. we feel the need to prove we can do it all, be it all and forget to just be ourselves.
We need to step back and realize that it isn’t about perceived expectation of self, but a realistic understanding of what is self.
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I’ve been thinking about the words “do you best.” I don’t love it. Because what does that mean? Everywhere? In everything? That seems impossible and is! I like your words of wisdom!
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I think it needs to be “be your best” not “do your best”. it isn’t about doing… it is all about being. being true to you. being the best you.
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