There’s a game that camp counselors, life group leaders and RA’s play that I bet you have heard of before. It’s called High/Low.
Here’s how it goes.
What was the ‘high’ point of your day and then what was the ‘low’ point of your day. Think more small group and not so much campfire. Incidentally, this game is great to play around the dinner table with your school age children. It sums the day up nicely without all the awkward ‘What did you learn in school today?’
Cricket. Cricket.
Brad and I actually do this often at our table as Rowan happily munches on Chicken Stix. (God’s gift to mommas of toddlers if you ask me) Most of the time it’s just normal conversation but there was a stretch of several months not long ago when I didn’t have much to add. It wasn’t because there was no high or no low; everyday was just the same.
Before I became a SAHM that wasn’t something I was prepared for, ya know? I can handle the low points and of course I can handle the highs, but there wasn’t much variation. I remember telling Brad that honestly, every. single. day. felt the same. Mondays weren’t terrible like everyone says because Monday was the same as Friday. Saturday and Sunday were nice because Brad was home but other than that, no schedule change. At all. Everyday had the same chores and the same duties and there was no ‘weekend’ for me as a SAHM.
I couldn’t tell you what day of the week it was, much less the date. It wasn’t a depressed time necessarily, it just felt like I was going through the motions. I obviously love Rowan and staying at home with her is such a blessing, however sometimes Momma needs a break…even when it means waving a white flag from time to time.
I realized that you (read:I) know you need a change in your life when you become the boring one at the High/Low game. Very scientific, huh?
There’s only one thing to do when you realize that change needs to take place. You either take the steps, no matter how scary they may be, or you remain the same. Perhaps nothing ‘bad’ happens but not living life with passion will eventually leave you a shell of a person.
I pray you are exactly where you want to be in your life. I pray you have the perfect job, husband, boyfriend, friends, family, career, school, etc.
BUT. If for whatever reason you find yourself a bit like me: not sure why you don’t smile as much anymore because God knows that you have a million reason to be ridiculously thankful.
I get you. I hear you. You are not crazy.
It’s easy to live in guilt because it feels despicable to not be happy when you have so many reason to be elated. Guilt and condemnation filled (and sometimes still do fill) my mind. And it’s paralyzing. So then you know what happens? You don’t do anything. And you go one more day not smelling the roses or allowing the warm sunshine to lift your spirits.
Action Points: 1) You must quit the addiction to guilt. Has it helped you so far? 2) Realize that perhaps there should be a change that takes place. Go back to school? Try another route to becoming a family? Visit a new church with more people your age? Set up weekly date nights with your man? Maybe it’s time to finally see that counselor and get a few things sorted out for good.
Once you figure out a plan for change….do it. Don’t waste one more day of your life unhappy and unsatisfied. It’s been too long since the world has seen that pretty smile.
And more importantly, do us all a favor and don’t waste one more day being the boring player in the High/Low game at the dinner table. I’m mean really. It’s been long enough since we heard about that wonderful day of yours. The ‘highs’ miss you. Please come back.
1 comment