A Slice of Life

“It’s just a slice.”

In life, this phrase as well as the context in which it is stated, can mean many things.

It also produces different outcomes.

Allow me to explain.

In the home educating world, it is so very easy to lose sight of an outlook that contains the proper perspective.

I think in actuality, life consistently affords this challenge.

Mothers especially are gifted by God with the ability to live in and deal with the “here and now.”

Imagine if you will, the overwhelmed feeling of being able to see every diaper changed, every meal prepared, every subsequent dirty dish that needs washing.

Wow. The mere thought breeds futility.

Sometimes our current life circumstances or an uncharacteristically tough week or even year do the same. Even a bad day or difficult set of lessons can be the catalyst to foster feelings of discouragement and a sense of despair.

In times like these, it is encouraging to step back, even for a few minutes and evaluate the circumstances. They are “just a slice.”

Not one of the situations or examples listed above, regardless of our differences, is ever an honest indicator of long term vision. Being able to understand and rely on this, when things are tougher, is an integral key to finishing well. Clearly, in making this statement, I’m referring to all of life. Guarding your heart and disciplining your thought processes to examine the entire picture or vision is key to overall success.

Perhaps currently, you are so lacking in a clear perspective, that you feel as if you can’t make heads or tails of much of anything!

I’ve been there, done that.

Asking yourself some simple questions can set you on a clear cut path to finding your groove once again.

Will (fill in the blank) matter a year from now?

How about in even a month? A week? A day?

Am I moving, even slowly, towards the goals and vision that I have set before me; regardless of the challenges I am currently experiencing?

Thinking in terms of the whole can reset perspective as well.

While simple and not overly deep in nature, many times these very questions have helped me to see that it is perspective and not really circumstance that is warped!

Still other times when I find myself saying “It’s just a slice”…, I find that I am settling for good or better when what I really desire is best.

Looking at the potential weight that good and better can add, simply by embracing slice after slice after slice; reminds me that it all eventually adds up!

It isn’t wrong for me to indulge a couple of hours, a day, or even a longer stretch of time, to things that weren’t in the original plan.

But when I make that a regular practice, it can become a habit and a real hindrance or deterrent from what I really desire or need.

Know that I am writing this to myself more than anyone else in my desire to race and finish well in this crazy often confusing mess we call life.

Here’s to a day, a week, and month and year that produce well balanced slices of investment into the whole!

I have faith in you. We can do this.

Teri is a believer in God, family, community, and lover of leadership education the Thomas Jefferson way. Teri writes and also speaks about lessons learned on her educational journey with 5 rambunctious sons, ages 22 down to 9, one hero Hubby, and celebrating day to day life with lots of humor, within the human race. You can find Teri blogging at Tommy Mom.