Life Weeds

Finding myself with a free Sunday morning, I got busy making a to-do list. 

• Feed Cats
• Work Out
• Wash Car
• Buy Bridal Shower Gift
• Write Blog and Check E-Mail
• Make Dinner

Seemed like a pretty good list to me and I was ready to start tackling it.  I love Sundays when the day is all mine.  Nice, relaxing, glorious, no-work Sundays.

But then, the unthinkable happened.  Cue the Jaws soundtrack – Dun-Dunt…..Dun-Dunt……Dun-Dunt, Dun-Dunt, Dun-Dunt!   Before I even poured my first cup of coffee, Mr. Backbone reminded me that I promised to help him weed.  Aghhhhh!  Jaws just grabbed my to-do list and swallowed it whole.

So, the weeding began.  The flowers looked pretty…

and some wildlife came by to visit…

while we dug and cut and pulled and plucked out weeds…

Did I mention that I hate to weed?  Hands – dirty.  Back – sore.  Manicure – ruined.  At least weeding doesn’t require too much mental power. 

• Step 1 – spot the weedy intruder
• Step 2 – plan the attack
• Step 3 – dig out the root
• Step 4 – toss away

Wow – just four easy steps to get rid of pesky weeds interfering with the design of my beautiful garden! 

Whooa – wait just a minute – could these same steps possibly apply to life?  

Step 1.  Spot the Intruder.  Is there an unwanted nuisance present in your life?  Is it using up some of the essential nutrients that you need (time, money, faith, health, etc.)?  Is it disguised as a flower or is it ugly and thorny?  Is it growing aggressively? 

 My Answer:  Yes, I think I have a Life Weed.  And, it’s disguised as a flower. 

Step 2 – Plan the Attack.  The method of attacking the Life Weed will depend on its make-up.  Is it a new weed or has it been growing for a while?  Does it have deep roots?  Does it need to be pulled gently or can you just yank it out?  Are its roots entangled with your BACKBONE?

My Analysis:  I’m generous about giving my time to help others and help good causes.  Being generous with my time is part of my BACKBONE.  Lately, however, I’ve been feeling over-committed.  I have a full-time job, household, family obligations, and I’m involved in several volunteer organizations.  I tend to join more and more groups and don’t cut back (aggressive weed growth).  These groups are taking up too much of an essential nutrient (alone time and time with my family) and choking me out.  I think the top of this weed needs to be cut off and its roots pulled out slowly.   

Step 3 – Dig Out the Root.  If you don’t dig out the entire root of the Life Weed, it will grow back.  How far do you have to dig down to get the whole root?  Start digging.  Find the root.  Get it all.  You might even apply a little Weed-Be-Gon for good measure.

Step 4 – Toss Away.  Toss the Life Weed far enough away that its seeds won’t blow back onto fertile ground. 

Do you have any Life Weeds that need to be uprooted?

If you have any advice about planning the attack on my own Life Weed, I’d love to hear your ideas.  Comment above or send me an e-mail at TracyCBB@hotmail.com.

I’m off finish my to-do list.  Only one item left…

Make Dinner Order Takeout