the big picture of things...

we all know that time is fleeting, and that we should appreciate the little time we have here on earth and value every second of it. it seems that this week has been filled with tragedy, at least in my little corner of the world...most not directly related to me but in my community as a whole. i have never been a negative person, sarcastic yes, but rarely, if ever pessimistic...i feel it's how we perceive and respond to situations on a daily basis that determines our future - the reap what you sow principle applies to every aspect of our lives - how we treat people, giving, even our inner heart attitude. by no means do i have this perfected, i have grumpy, bad attitude days myself, but try my best to maintain a level of perspective by remembering this little phrase: "in the big picture of things, will this really matter?" will my snappy attitude turn someone away from the love of God, will my impatience in traffic really get me there faster, if i don't "show up" today to where ever i'm suppose to be, fully- mentally and emotionally, will someone's life be affected?
when i worked in publishing, i used this quite frequently - saying "in the big picture of things it's just a book" now this was no excuse to not do all i could to meet deadlines and satisfy publishers, but when it got to the point there was physically nothing on earth i was able to do to make something happen, i would just take a deep breath and remember "it's just a book", the earth won't stop spinning, it will just be late.
today i was feeling overwhelmed though with the sense that i have no time...well is that really true? or am i just not choosing to use the time i have wisely? are the goals i've set so unrealistic that i've created my own stress? i want to work out, i wan to landscape the yard, i want to paint the bathroom, i want to see friends, i have work and school related commitments, i need to clean the house, wash the car, and sometimes sleep...i want to find an outlet to minister, to also be ministered to...is it just all too much? i hear my parents talk of simpler times, were they really simpler?
i don't really have a conclusion or an answer today - just questions that needed to be verbalized...i think that because i'm such a "do-er" that it's hard to just "be"...
in the big picture of thing though - i hope my "being" is enough...