Every time you feel yourself getting drawn into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: not my circus; not my monkeys....
I have some awesome Facebook friends, some I have never met in person, however they cheer me up, challenge me, and remind me how beautiful the whole World is.
I raised 6 children. There were many, many years of this was my circus and my monkeys. They are all now raising their children and I get to visit their circus. So many years of juggling schedules, walking a tight rope, and generally trying to keep things going in every ring. I failed often. My body couldn't keep the pace. I don't miss the sunup to sundown race to get everything done. I am not sorry I did what I did....don't get me wrong. I like the stage I am in now. I like playing and visiting and not being responsible. Yup. I like being a grandma. I love my kids and my grandkids. I am blessed with an awesome DH.
I honed my talents for juggling a million different things but at work when things are getting a little crazy, I remind myself, it is not my circus; not my monkeys. I like being an assistant to teachers. I am not responsible for their choices.
I moved out of Arizona for many years. When we moved back, my kids pointed out that I acted weird at my parents house. (I love kids ability to cut to the chase and say exactly what is on their minds.) For a time, I was sucked back into the craziness that I moved away from in the first place. Took several years of counseling before I started to grasp that my parents were both adults and I was not responsible for meeting their unspoken demands. I was not responsible for making them comfortable. It was not my job to take care of 2 people quite capable of taking care of themselves. I finally reached the stage of when a problem arises I don't feel a need to 'ride-to-the-rescue.' I like the turn of phrase: Not my circus, NOT my monkeys....
I raised 6 children. There were many, many years of this was my circus and my monkeys. They are all now raising their children and I get to visit their circus. So many years of juggling schedules, walking a tight rope, and generally trying to keep things going in every ring. I failed often. My body couldn't keep the pace. I don't miss the sunup to sundown race to get everything done. I am not sorry I did what I did....don't get me wrong. I like the stage I am in now. I like playing and visiting and not being responsible. Yup. I like being a grandma. I love my kids and my grandkids. I am blessed with an awesome DH.
I honed my talents for juggling a million different things but at work when things are getting a little crazy, I remind myself, it is not my circus; not my monkeys. I like being an assistant to teachers. I am not responsible for their choices.
I moved out of Arizona for many years. When we moved back, my kids pointed out that I acted weird at my parents house. (I love kids ability to cut to the chase and say exactly what is on their minds.) For a time, I was sucked back into the craziness that I moved away from in the first place. Took several years of counseling before I started to grasp that my parents were both adults and I was not responsible for meeting their unspoken demands. I was not responsible for making them comfortable. It was not my job to take care of 2 people quite capable of taking care of themselves. I finally reached the stage of when a problem arises I don't feel a need to 'ride-to-the-rescue.' I like the turn of phrase: Not my circus, NOT my monkeys....
4 comments:
I learned my family of origin was a train wreck waiting to happen and me lying down on the tracks would do nothing to stop it. The dysfunction was likely there before I was born. I didn't create it and even if I could fix it, your right, it's not my circus!
Thanks mulderfan.
I like that saying, Ruth!
Me too Jessie.
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