Adjust Accordingly
Turn ahead signs & Margins
My eyes spot the familiar yellow signs and vectors warning of an upcoming turn as I navigate the turnpike. Caution. Turn ahead. Slow speed. I adjust accordingly and stay on the road.
If I had to pick a symbol of this season of life, it would probably be those arrows. February has thrown a lot of turns and twists, from gentle curves to intense hairpins.
Between the panic creeping up in my body and the decision-making fatigue, I knew I had to re-evaluate what takes precedence. The word “margin” often gets thrown around haphazardly, but this definition carries the weight of margin’s responsibility.
Margin (noun): “an amount by which a thing is won or falls short” (Oxford Languages).
Are the margins in my life causing victories or failures? I asked myself.
The sagacious decision was to make my radius smaller (both physically and mentally), my focus narrower. I cut out a lot of driving and “could-do” events.
More time to teach my daughter how to help around the house. More time to try to figure out the business of potty-training. More time to watch Friends with Luis and fold laundry. More time to write out scriptures and encourage friends. More time to appreciate the community I have. More fervent prayers prayed. More time to declutter our home.
Between toddler sleep, interrupted nights, heartburn, and pregnancy, I’ve had lower energy so I’m learning how to conserve it better for the things I really want and need to do instead of just wasting it doing inconsequential tasks.
The new year brought a reset of my 1000 Hours Outside goal, so here we go again!
We’ve been apricating as much as possible - soaking in the warm temperatures this February has brought us. It has been more last minute texts to hang at the park and stroller walks around the neighborhood. It has been snack picnics and porch play, which has been glorious (aside from my precocious 21-month-old riding her new scooter down the tiny hill in our yard and busting up her elbows!)
I am thankful for the imagery that “turn ahead” signs bring as a reminder that it is okay to slow down and adjust accordingly. I know that in my life, I don’t do that often enough especially when life is moving rapidly. This is your reminder as we start to wake up from the drowsy hibernation of winter and head into spring, take time to evaluate what margin you are creating in your life. Are the margins we are making leading to victories or failures?
The February Good List
Night to Shine prom with my friend Brittani! 5 years and counting with this gal!!
Bear Grease podcast’s three-part series on Tecumseh, the Shawnee leader
Warm, sunny days (25 hours outside, I’ll take it!)
Our neighborhood community is such a blessing! Play dates and meals and celebrations and helping out neighbors in the hospital — community is flourishing here.
The library’s Book Bingo activity for the past 2 months. It has been so much fun to read a variety of books in order to check off boxes.
A mom’s morning out last week thanks to a friend who watched my girl! The solo thrift shopping and coffee drinking adventure was much needed.
Angie Smith’s Seamless Bible Study - Our women’s ministry at church dove into the Old Testament this month and I really enjoyed seeing how it all weaves together in the Story of God.