Fry it up in a pan,
And never, ever let him forget he’s a man,
Cause I’m a Wo---Man!”
This commercial was like a battle cry for the girls of my generation. For the first time in our lives, we were told that women could have it all, do it all. I remember as a teenager being excited at the thought. Growing up in an extended family where a girl was considered a failure if she didn’t secure a husband by the time she was twenty, it gave voice to my hope of attending college, having a career and making a difference in the world. Thank heavens, I was blessed with parents who believed I could do anything I put my mind to and encouraged me. Because of them and my husband, I’ve achieved some of those dreams.
Yet now, as I begin my fifty-ninth year, I’ve finally been hit in the head by a two-by-four. The commercial had it wrong. Nobody can have it all.
That two-by-four was a recent doctor’s visit for my annual physical. While all my tests and physical exam came back normal, the doctor had some concerns. The pain I have with a long-term back injury was up, and I stayed constantly tired. After further questioning, she came back with a startling diagnosis—I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Though I shared with her how much joy I found in my writing, she suggested I find something else that relaxes me and gives me joy. She also told me one more thing.
To give myself a break. She felt I was too hard on myself, expected too much from myself and that it had robbed me of joy.
This is extremely hard for me. I’m a type A personality, a first-born, a perfectionist. I don’t comprehend the word ‘stop.’ From the time I wake up in the morning to the moment my head hits the pillow at night, I go full blast, tackling a daily to-do list that’s as long as my arm. If there were more hours in the day, I’d fill them.
So, there are huge changes on the horizon in the new year for me. I’ve already started asking for help from my family and friends which is hard for me. I’m taking time out every night to indulge in reading more. I’m hitting the gym to lower my pain level. I’m making time for sacred rest, clinging to the knowledge that God values me whether I’m a success or failure.
Because I’m not supposed to do it all, and the truth is I don’t want to do it anymore. My worth is found in Christ, not whether I live up to my lofty expectations. With that in mind, I’m focusing on two words in the new year:
Breakthrough and Joy.
Do you ever find yourself trying to do too much? Do you expect too much from yourself? What is your word for the year?
The commercial had it wrong. Nobody can have it all. via @pattywrites #SeriouslyWrite #amwriting
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Patty Smith Hall lives in North Georgia with her husband of 36+ years, Danny. Her passion is
to write tender romances based in little-known historical moments. The winner of the 2008 ACFW Genesis award in historical romance, she is published with Love Inspired Historical, Barbour and Winged Publishing, and is a contributor to the Seriously Writing blog as well as Journey magazine. Patty is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.
Crinoline Creek, Texas, 1868
A Cowboy of Her Own by Patty Smith Hall
A Cowboy of Her Own by Patty Smith Hall
Bookish southern belle Madalyn Turner knows what she wants—to be a cowboy and own a Texas ranch. But books are far different from real life and soon she realizes she needs help.
