Overload

I was getting back to MARGIN by Richard A. Swenson this morning as it was a beautiful morning, and I wanted to sit on my deck a bit before getting to work on my current WIP.  The chapter I was reading dealt with overload and exceeding our limits or "threshold."  Swenson states that overload occurs whenever "the requirements upon us exceed that which we are able to bear."

He talked of all the burdens placed upon us in this day and age such as, "one more option, one more commitment, one more expectation, one more purchase, one more debt, one more change, one more job, one more decision."

The more things we add lead us to exceed our threshold and, thereby, result in "disorganization and frustration."  This is certainly obvious in my life--one need only note the length of time since my last post.  Swenson argues that it is not the "details" which are the problem but rather the "exceeding" which results in overload.

This certainly seems to be true.  Any one thing, or few things, can be manageable in and of themselves but, all thrown together, can result in the overwhelming feeling of "Calgon, take me away!"

What I read this morning coupled with the lovely Fall weather today helped me put it all in perspective and take one thing at a time.  We'll see what tomorrow brings, but for today, at least, I was successful at editing my ms and preparing it for submission which is what I wanted to accomplish.

Are you managing the "details" or becoming overwhelmed by "overload?"  Please share your story and what works for you.

MARGIN

On the advice of the very wise Kristi Holl, I've recently started reading Richard A. Swenson's MARGIN. Swenson states, "Margin is the space that once existed between ourselves and our limits." He discusses the state of the lives of many, that of "marginless living," in that the day to day activities and obligations zap the margin right out of our lives. Thus far, I've read only the first chapter but can tell that it is going to be money well spent. On the very first page, I came across the following which is so definitive of daily life, especially so for busy parents trying to find that ever-elusive balance. It brought me some clarity, and I hope it will you also.

"Marginless is fatigue; margin is energy.
Marginless is red ink; margin is black ink.
Marginless is hurry; margin is calm.
Marginless is anxiety; margin is security.
Marginless is culture; margin is counterculture.
Marginless is the disease of the new millennium; margin is its cure."

If you've read MARGIN and can speak to the benefits you reaped, please share.