Picking Your Battles

Part of being a grownup means knowing which battles are worth fighting and which ones you can't give a lot of time or energy to. As I've aged and become a parent to a 'tweenager' I've far less time and energy to devote to every current issue inflaming the masses. I have to take care of my own backyard and sometimes that means I don't have the time or interest in playing in yours. I understand there is world famine and an unstable world economy, but I have to worry more about my table and my wallet. Parenting, especially, will suck the life energy right out of you, if you're not careful. 


I used to jump on the bandwagon of a lot more causes and issues when I was younger. I had the time then. I had the energy then. I had a lack of critical thinking skills that could have been used to discern those battles that seemed to be as they were reported, and the battles whose facts were based on statistical studies that weren't solid. (Get a minor in sociology and a major in science and you quickly learn that skill! It's flipping eye-opening!) As a nurse in a critical care department you also learn what needs to be addressed right now, as opposed to what you cannot waste time worrying about. You also quickly learn when a patient is willing to listen to you and discuss their issues, and when they simply want to be right. 


These days my soapbox tends to gather a lot of dust. I take it out every once in a while, but for the most part I won't bother. Most causes aren't worth my time or intelligence any more. And I need all the brain power I can muster for effective single parenting.


So if you're looking for me to get mad as hell about something, good luck. If I get my panties in a bunch about anything, I'll pick them out of my crack and keep going. The minutes are precious, and I might miss something truly remarkable like the little neighbor girl making me a picture for my refrigerator or the rabbit asking me to pet her by untying my tennis shoe or a friend reporting on the sights and sensations she's experiencing in Paris. Those are the important moments and they occur every minute of the day. While you're running around proclaiming doom and gloom because hell has apparently frozen over, I'm making slushies.


Attitude is everything, and it's the only thing we truly control. Picking your battles frees you up to see the wonders of the commonplace and drink them in.