Comments on: This is my 800th post.

By: edj

edj — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:20:47 +0000

I tried to post this a couple of days ago and my connection was so bad I just gave up. Sooo….
I totally can relate to wondering if the rest of the world even really exists. You know it does–you’ve been there–but it feels so disconnected from reality. You read an ancient Newsweek article about birthday parties for American dogs and you raise your eyes and think, “How can this be the same planet?” But it is.
I, also, add things already done to lists so I can cross them off. Feeling overwhelmed is especially normal when our kids are young–not that I don’t still get that feeling sometimes with 2 near-teens and one fully-fledged one, but it’s more rare. Add cross-cultural stress to the mix and voila! One mother who needs a break sometimes. Like others have said, keep writing about it. I promise you no one is thinking, “Gosh that Rae chick whines a lot!” Honest. (And as I write this, I wonder if it might be true for me too. Cuz I feel I don’t have the right to whine since Rabat is such an easier place to live than Nouakchott was.)
edj´s last blog ..Hammam Days

By: carrien (she laughs at the days)

carrien (she laughs at the days) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:45:49 +0000

I think everyone feels overwhelmed from time to time, many of us often. We get even more overwhelmed when we make the mistake of thinking that we’re the only one who feels like this, and that everyone else has it all together.

In truth, we’re all doing the best we can, with what we have. We’re all just making it up as we go along. That’s how it will always be. Sometimes that looks to other people like we have it all together, even though on the inside we feel we’re constantly sinking, and sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve seen you overwhelmed, and only known it because I know you well enough to see the signs. But it would be invisible to a lot of people, because you carry on anyway.

You may feel weak, but you are strong. Remember, endurance only comes by pushing your limits over and over again, and you are. You are stronger, and you are trying harder things, and you are never ceasing to grow. I suspect you only feel overwhelmed because you are trying to look to the end of the road, rather than simply focusing on the next step. Just do the next thing my love, that is always enough.

I love you.
carrien (she laughs at the days)´s last blog ..My kid’s dentist wants to know this. Maybe you do too.

By: Jen N.

Jen N. — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:41:27 +0000

How fun! I know Shelly and Corrigan Clay! I attended the Seattle Vineyard with them. I had heard they were in Haiti. Thanks for the video link. As always, I love to read your posts. Sad or happy (or both).

By: Rebeca

Rebeca — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:05:07 +0000

I do that with my to do lists as well. Make sure to write “Make list” as the very first thing, just so you can have the satisfaction of crossing something off right away.
Can totally relate to the climbing, running away, dog lover, only mine is 22 months and we’re in Mexico. Fun. (I say fun only partly sarcastically; mostly, we’re loving it.)
And thanks for sharing the link to Shelley and Corrigan. She and the four kids were evacuated today; Corrigan stayed behind to continue what they’re doing. Her heart is there, but I think it will be good for her to have a rest, AND they will expidite the kids’ adoptions if they are here in the US. She might be here a month and I can’t wait to see her.
Much love to you. I really hope that, one of these years, we will make it to India, and to you. Love.
and congrats on 800 posts! Keep writing. :>
Rebeca´s last blog ..Welcome to Mexico

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:35:01 +0000

Congratulations on #800! I’m new to your blog but I’ve gone back and read all 800! It’s my very most favorite blog ever! I’m having a bit of withdrawal now that I’m all caught up and can’t read 10 posts at a time. I’m so glad that you write about feeling overwhelmed because it helps me feel normal. People don’t seem to admit to feeling that way very often. And yes, I definitely add stuff to the list just to cross it off. I like the idea of adding things like brushing your teeth and making coffee to the list. How often do we work so hard changing diapers and making lunches and picking up toys all day just to feel at the end like we haven’t accomplished much? I may just try that…

By: Nicki

Nicki — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:51:05 +0000

I’d be overwhelmed just living in India and can’t even imagine what living in India AND homeschooling four kiddo’s AND all of the other stuff (including writing) must feel like. The MIND map should be good to steer by – EMOTIONS are too fluid at times.

By: The Confused Foreigner

The Confused Foreigner — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:10:39 +0000

When you were describing your part of the world, my mind went to my little dirty market and daily treads when I was overseas. At the time I felt sometimes so isolated, sometimes on the cutting edge of adventure…. now that I”m back here. I think nostalgically about life “way out there” and I sigh…. life seems so Canadian “normal” here. Which is good but it’s funny how when I was over there, I longed for here. Now that I’m here I long for there. What’s a girl to do with her heart?
I love your writing. Thanks for posting about your life, your walk, your ups and downs. I look forward to coming to your blog !
The Confused Foreigner´s last blog ..Hope for the Helpless, Rest for the Weary, and Love for the Broken heart

By: Marian

Marian — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:35:18 +0000

Hi, there. I haven’t been around much or commented lately… but hi.
Of COURSE I do the add something just so I can cross it off thing because, usually, I’ve been working for some time before I even get around to making a list, and that has to count! BUT do you ever make a long list and, after working through quite a few items, make a new list, just so you can look at a small list, especially if you have to lay the list aside and come back to it another day? Or is that only my alternate nutty strategy? These days, truth be told, I just write lists and lose them in the chaos…

Anyway, congratulations on your 800th post. I enjoy your thoughts, from wherever you are.

By: #1mama

#1mama — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:29:28 +0000

Congratulations on the 800th post – that too is an amazing accomplishment – you stuck with it, you wrote even when you did not feel like it, and you’ve done well.

By: #1mama

#1mama — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:28:21 +0000

You should see your dad right now – talk about being overwhelmed! That’s not to belittle your being overwhelmed, because I stand in awe of all that you do and accomplish on a daily basis. Give yourself a cheer, because you’re pretty amazing.

I like the belated adding to the “to do list” – because I’ve done that also. It does make one feel better after checking it. Here’s something else to do – put all sorts of silly things on it, like “get up”, brush my teeth”, or “make myself coffee” and then you have lots more to check off.

Lots of love,

PS I loved the Turban Band – they are great! When are they going to do a CD?