I have a confession to make.
I agreed to read this book and share my thoughts about it with you several weeks ago.
But I put it off. I knew it would be tough. This book rested safely on my desk between bookends, nestled in between some other excellent reading choices.
I’d look at it and feel a pang that I needed to really get going on it, but then I’d shy away. Why? you’re wondering. Let me tell you…
(I received a copy of this book plus a book bundle from Zondervan in exchange for my thoughts and opinions of Breaking Busy.)
“I had reached my capacity level and was standing in the airport calling my own bra to prove it.” (From Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace & Purpose in a World of Crazy by Alli Worthington).
When I read that line my first thought was: “This woman gets me.”
“We measure our lives based on a simple question: Am I moving forward?” ~ Rick Whitted from Outgrow Your Space at Work: How to Thrive at Work and Build a Successful Career
Who wants to succeed at their career? Everyone, right? We want to move “up the ladder.” We all could probably use a nice raise too.
“On an average workday we spend more time working than we spend doing any other single action.” (Outgrow Your Space at Work: How to Thrive at Work and Build a Successful Career). That means we spend more time working (on average) than sleeping, being with with our spouse or children, or…anything else!
But why? What do we hope to accomplish in our careers? What do we aim for? Are we chasing a title? A raise? Or meaning? Are we in “blind pursuit of the position”?
Our beabrador Lillie came to us in July 2008 as a tiny pup and immediately stole our hearts. She left us peacefully and like the lady she was on January 30, 2016 and we will never be the same. You can see her sweetly napping a few weeks ago in the featured picture in her favorite napping spot.
Grief. The word is looming, scary, nobody wants anything to do with it. We fear it.
My family is in the midst of grief. We said goodbye yesterday to a dear and faithful friend, our dog Lillie. She’d been with us for nearly 8 years, since she was just a tiny puppy. We’re her only people. If folks have never had pets or never had one that’s become like family, they won’t understand what I’m saying and I respect that.
But if you’ve had pets whom you adore, this will resonate with you. There’s this thing about dogs. They melt when you scratch their tummies. They want to snuggle up to you like a little baby and snore in your face. But in a heartbeat, they’d come between you and anything that poses a threat, willing to sacrifice their very lives for your safety.
There’s a reason we love our pets so much: They’re faithful. They may poop on the floor sometimes, but they never fail us. They fight for us. They don’t gossip about us. They are loyal, no matter what. They don’t lie to us. They don’t lie about us. They never betray us. They keep our secrets. Their whole lives are about us. For most pets, we are their world. They are completely and undeniably dedicated to us and only us.