Have you ever had that feeling while at work that you just can’t wait to get home to your spouse and kids? It’s all you can think about. The dinner you plan to cook, the games you plan to play, the chores, the togetherness, the chance to blossom as the great homemaker you are. After all, it’s what you’re GREAT at, it’s what you’re PASSIONATE about, it’s what makes you… YOU! It’s your God given gifts, talents, and abilities at their best! You drudge through your work day to finally get home to your real life and then, you guessed it. Your spouse is being annoying, your kids are making you rethink your decision to become a parent, the chores are overwhelming, the household is leeching on you from all sides and you can’t wait to get back to work! To your career. You know, the one you are GREAT at, the one that you are PASSIONATE about, the one that makes you… YOU. The place where your God given gifts, talents, and abilities are at their best! Somehow you navigate the chaos of your home to finally get a shower and get to bed. Waking up the next morning, you guessed it again. If only you didn’t have to go back to work, life would be perfect. There are so many excuses. Not enough time in the day. Not enough energy in the processed foods you eat. Not enough of you to go around. Wondering why you feel this way you dig deep within yourself, only to find your inner judge in full force. You hear from yourself loud and clear, “Nothing makes you happy! You aren’t content anywhere! You are just lazy, selfish, a terrible parent, a lousy co-worker, you can’t even handle the happiness you have and you don’t deserve more! This is just life, deal with it.” Can I say, “WOW. You’re hard on yourself!” Now you feel even worse. Depression creeps in. Mediocrity creeps in. You don’t know how to get out of this funk. You do know there’s a big hole in your soul filled with emptiness and longing for, well who-knows-what.
Maybe you’ve read enough self-help and inspirational leadership books to have your own conference. Maybe you practice yoga and meditate regularly. Maybe you are a person of numerous faiths. Maybe you are a Christian and you KNOW that the Bible says to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” All of these things are awesome, but somehow knowing them doesn’t change how you feel. And sometimes these things make you feel even worse about how you feel, because you feel guilty.
This doesn’t leave me much advice left to give because you already know all the answers. So I’ll tell you how I get out of these miserable slumps of pure discontentment.
- Just be grateful. Every moment, every thing. The traffic delay could be saving you from a car wreck. Those crazy wild kids, be thankful they have the physical facilities to be wild. Or maybe you have kids that were born with challenges, be thankful they aren’t wild! Not to make light of the challenges of raising children, but be thankful that God gave them life and with that life… purpose. Be grateful for that person at your job that really pushes your limits of sanity. Just be grateful. If you find this task difficult. I start in the shower. As I’m bathing I am thankful for each body part. I should write a children’s song!
- Do all those things we talked about that you KNOW to do. That’s your effort. Eat well, exercise, drink water, meditate, do yoga, run, read, pray, get closer to God.
- Get your inner dialogue straight. Stop telling yourself how bad you suck for feeling the way you feel. Start telling yourself that it’s going to be okay! Everything has its season. You are waiting your turn to shine.
- Be aware. Be aware of every moment. Don’t let them slip by while you are hypnotized. Look for what’s next. Expect it. Be aware so you don’t miss it.
A friend of mine told me recently, “I just want to be great at something again.” That perfect something is on the way. Your greatness may be in hibernation. It may be resting up. It will be back. Get up and be your great self in every situation, work or home. And have hope, run wild with it!
