Dedicated to Orchid Good:
You have helped me see the light dear Orchid Good. You did what I could not do. You figured out how I could rearrange my days. I am now finding myself relaxed and content. I am accomplishing my daily goals differently. It feels good. Thank you Orchid for helping me balance my time to satisfy my needs.
I am Orchid Good. Most of you know I am Honey's Wheaton Terrier and writing partner.
I woke up this morning, did my morning stretch and went searching for my mistress, Honey Good. She was preparing my morning breakfast. Noticing me she rubbed my head and whispered in my ear, "I love you sooo much" That's how I start everyday with Honey -- happy!
After I finished breakfast, I wandered from room to room finally finding her in her dressing room. I immediately noticed her luggage. That means one thing: we are traveling again. My travel coat was out, my food packed and my favorite toys were all in place. I gave her kisses letting her know I was one happy pooch.
On the way to all airports, I snuggle next to her and immediately get an adrenalin rush when I feel her "joy de vivre." Not today. My mistress is not herself. I can always sense her moods. She is not texting the family, she is not on the phone, nor is she talking non-stop to my master (who I also adore). She is very quiet and sleeping. This is most unusual for my sassy mistress.
As you know we pooches are observers! At least I am. I follow my mistress and watch. She is constantly in motion, she multi-tasks all day. It is either family, homes, social life, work, charities, paying the bills, travel arrangements, HoneyGood.com and of course, me and my Master. We always come first. She tries to be everything to everyone leaving little time for herself and, in my opinion, she is not prioritizing her days to her liking. I am sure this is ringing a bell with many of you.
As I lay next to her on our long ride to the airport my mind turns to reevaluating her daily schedule. I have known my mistress for eight years and know what makes her tick. I am coming to the conclusion she is devoting too much time to what feels like chores instead of what gives her pleasure. I know what to do -- I will prioritize her day for her.
I visualize a pie sectioned into four pieces not equal in size representing my mistress' day. I am going to title each section and advise my mistress to rethink her priorities and adjust the sizes of each piece of the pie. Her day is now divided into:
Family: 15%
Social/Community: 35%
HoneyGood.com: 45%
Personal Needs: 5%
As her companion, writing partner and doggie shrink I think she will be a much happier camper if she changes the pie to look like this:
Family: 25%
HoneyGood.com: 45%
Personal Needs: 15%
Social/Community: 15%
My mistress loves her family, is devoted to her husband and me, her devoted pooch. I can see and feel her happiness when she is involved with us. So 25% of her time should go to family. She loves HoneyGood.com. I see a peacefulness come over her when she puts her fingers on the keys of her computer to blog. 45% of her time will be devoted to her work. I watch her rushing for her manicure and not taking time to go on her treadmill, lunch with a close friend, shop for a new little black dress or read the stack of books sitting next to her bedside. She needs 15% of her time to tend to her personal needs. Her social life and community is important and necessary but I would really put that last on her list of priorities. I can see her living quietly by the sea with her family and an interesting conglomeration of acquaintances of all walks and talks of life. 15% of her time will be allotted to social and community needs.
Honey would not want me to end this blog without thinking about you. Hopefully I have given you "food for thought." Make yourself a personal category chart so you can fill your day... in a happier way!
Photography Source
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