THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Our Need For Some Degree Of Privacy

GUEST POST:

During much of my life I have been a helpless overachiever. I felt (mistakenly by the way) that the more I got done, the better person I was. I didn't feel productive unless I was busy going somewhere or doing something. Now don't get me wrong, I have had many marvelous experiences that I would not trade, but as I get older, I realize the critical importance of some degree of privacy in our lives.

Richard Carlson has this to say about the subject:

"Your home is your haven, an escape from the outside world. When you allow too much of the craziness from the outside to enter your home, you eliminate, or at least reduce, a potential source of peace. While most of us are concerned with protecting our physical safety, and will take steps to secure it, we often forget or even neglect our emotional and spiritual "safety." We can do this , at least in part, by honoring our need for some degree of privacy. Protecting and respecting your own privacy is a statement to yourself and others that you value yourself and your peace of mind."

I loved this concept because peace of mind is at such premium in this crazy world we live in. Sometimes we may have to say no to an opportunity if it interferes too much with our private lives. I remember once many years ago when I was directing a dance festival for our [church]. Rehearsals were finished and I was exhausted from dragging my three children with me everywhere. While we were on our way to the cast party, I mistakenly thought I had all of the children in the car and I nearly backed over my youngest son. Thankfully, I heard him cry, hit the brake and sat there in my car frozen with fear....afraid to even look at what had happened. He was OK....pretty banged up, but all surface wounds that would heal with time.

This event changed my life. I realized that there was nothing noble about the knots in my stomach when I took on too much responsibility. I also learned in a most dramatic way that saying "no" is not always selfish.....sometimes it is smart. So now I value my privacy and I am not so quick to overextend myself. When I begin to feel those familiar knots starting to form, I reevaluate my energy level and decide what cuts to make to restore my peace of mind.

Women with cancer need to be even more aware of this because radiation, chemo, and other treatments greatly diminish our energy levels. Remember that your peace of mind is worth more to you and your family than any opportunity out there and that YOU are the person in charge of protecting it.

Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Breast cancer survivor