When People Know What They Need or Want

One of my major pet peeves is the use of the word WHATEVER. It just makes me want to scream! Ah yes, I've caught myself uttering this word of desolate nothingness and berated my own self for acting with such nonchalance. I mean, come on! As long as you have breath, make it count for something. Have an opinion, make a statement, express your desire. Don't melt so much into someone else or into someone that you aren't that you mind can't even connect with your mouth enough to verbalize something half-way meaningful.

On the flip side, I am elated when people know what they want or need. For instance, my 5-year-old daughter no longer takes naps. Instead, she is loosely required to rest (i.e. be quiet and laying horizontal) for 30 minutes daily. This gives her little mouth a chance to cool off and Mama's ears time enough to listen to the sound of silence. So, I was starting to clean up from lunch today, when she started prepping herself for said quiet time. She collected some books and brought an afghan to the couch. I stepped outside to clean up some water toys and to swing my infant son for about 10 minutes. When I returned inside, lo and behold was a SLEEPING little girl all snuggled under the blanket. It was a phenomenal sight! I was so pleased that she simply decided that she was tired, would lay down (without being told, mind you!), and that her little eyes would shut. No fights, no debates, no hassles. I have now had a full hour of church-mouse quiet in our town house.

I should take a lesson. Usually what I want is costly. Yes, sometimes financially, yet mostly in terms of time or energy or a learning curve. If I do one thing, I can't do something else. If only I could be superhuman and do two things (folding laundry and napping, reading a psych textbook and organizing our vacation meals, emailing and cooking dinner) or more. I choose one thing and get annoyed that I can't do more or buy more or whatever. If knowing what I want or need and doing it spells confidence, then compromising is all about whining and associated nastiness. Then, of course, I don't want to get into any performance traps and focus on accomplishing while sacrificing the loveliness of being. Goals are often overrated.

Lest I get ahead of myself...I am grateful that my daughter is STILL asleep. YOU GO GIRL!