Because I sure know about losing my mind. đ
And most likely, you do too. At least sometimes!
Did I mention lately that I have 13 Labrador puppies? I still canât believe it. Thirteen puppies. And theyâre 6 weeks old now. So, we are all pooped around here, in more ways than one!
And like you, my life was fairly nuts before. I run an editorial business, and write books. Not much to do around here on a calm day!
A couple of weeks ago, I got caught up in the frenzy. You know how that is, right? Chasing the old tail around in circles trying to get 54 things done in one day.
Itâs not that I wanted to lose my mind. But I sure came close to doing so.
Itâs not that I wanted to lose my mind. But I sure came close to doing so.
And when that happens, Iâm pretty much frustrated with, well, everything.
So I had to give myself a time out and employ pretty much all the tools I know about how to deal with frustration. The basic ones, and the not-so-basic. But none of them are difficult.
1. Of course, the first thing Iâd quit doing when there werenât enough hours in the day was meditation. Of course it was! Isnât it funny how we do that? We donât have time to carve out 15 minutes for ourselves and do the one thing, the true one thing, which lends calm to everything else.
And funny how life runs straight off the rails when we quit doing that!
So, that was first on the docket.
2. Which leads to the second toolâchanging that negative self-talk. Because I donât know about you, but I can sure beat myself up when in that mode. âYouâll never get this all done.â âYou donât have the exact right home for every puppy.â Etc., etc.
And we all know how productive that is, donât we.
So with the calm of meditation, I began changing that negative talk to positive. And funny thingâthe issues began resolving.
3. The third thing is to talk to someone. Like you, I have a handful of very trusted friends who serve as sounding boards. And when I get way off track, I can talk to them for perspective. They know how packed my life is, and lord knows, they know I have 13 puppies as well!
They point out the flaws in my thinking. They show other avenues to the goal. They reinforce the positive parts of me that help me to reevaluate where I veered off track.
They help keep me sane.
4. Which brings me to the 4th toolâletting go of outcomes.
Seems I get to practice this one a lot. Do you?
Like a true crazy person, thatâs what I gave up for Lent.
What the heck was I thinking? I mean, I know what happens when you give something upâyou get lots and lots and lots of opportunities to practice it. And my goodness, has that ever been the case (where the heck is Easter when you need it? Oh, yeah, itâs almost here! Thank you, God!).
It started out with little Mr. Green, and once I let go of the outcome with him, he began to thrive. Funny thing, heâs a gorgeous boy. He may actually be one of my keepers J Even though I hadnât intended on keeping a boy from this litter.
What was that again about letting go of the outcome? Lol.
5.And the biggest, best tool Iâve used is to stay in the moment.
What dawned on my wee little brain through this time was how blissful these babies are. Once I quieted my mind and quit fretting, the message came loud and clearâslow down and enjoy these babies.
Because even though Iâm a show breeder of English Labradors, I donât actually breed that often. Once a year, maybe. They grow before your very eyes, and will be gone before I know it.
And they are precious. Just precious.
They live entirely in the moment, and I decided to live those moments with them. Although of course, theyâre all napping now while Iâm writing this!
Once I did that, I became entirely steeped in puppy bliss.
Yep, all the work thatâs backed up will still be there. Iâll get a chunk of it done today. And tomorrow, and the next . . .
But in the meantime Iâm the luckiest girl alive. I have 13 fat healthy bouncy beautiful babies, who are so cute theyâll hurt you. And for the time being at least, theyâre all mine to love. Ah, the abundance!
What do you do when frustration threatens to derail you?
Colleen
12 Apr 2017I’ve been experiencing a bit of that frustration myself, Susan. For me, it’s a male pheasant who has decided to wake me up each morning with his croaky, nails-on-metal voice. I’m working on #2 and finding a way to convince him his true audience is elsewhere!
Susan Malone
12 Apr 2017Oh, no! What a pest he must be! Or maybe, try feeding him well away from your bedroom đ
Monica
12 Apr 2017I can’t believe you have 13 puppies in the house. How do you get anything done? I would spend each and every day adoring them. Plus I’m jealous…we’re in between dogs right now. Love this list. Isn’t it funny how we give up the most important things like meditations and thinking positive thoughts? Really – you are spot on!
Susan Malone
12 Apr 2017I can’t believe I have 13 puppies in the house either, Monica! I still can’t believe it. Lol. And oh, they are so precious. I spend a LOT of time with them đ
Joyce
12 Apr 2017Well, I got through the last crisis without taking up drinking. So, that’s a plus. That leaves me with locking myself in my office until I’m ready to face the world again.
Susan Malone
12 Apr 2017I know that feeling, Joyce. So sorry about the hack! I’ve had that happen and oh, you feel so violated. Sending you lots of peace!
Meghan
12 Apr 2017Some of the best life lessons I’ve learned have been from canines. One of them is living in the moment, as you point out above. While I struggle with the concept, I’m getting better at it. I can aspire to live life with the reckless abandon my dogs did, although it’s more likely that I’ll ponder quite a bit before I leap! This is one of my favorites from you.
Susan Malone
12 Apr 2017Dogs teach us so many things, don’t they, Meghan. Yes–let’s live life with reckless abandon! Okay, I’m going to have to practice that one as well đ
Rachel Lavern
12 Apr 2017Oh my goodness! Whatever are you doing with 13 dogs? Do you sell them? I cannot even begin to imagine how you get anything done with all of the distractions you must have. All of that cuteness!
Susan Malone
13 Apr 201713 6-wk-old puppies! I only breed to keep something for me, but yes, I have companion puppies to sell as well. It’s nuts! But yes, all the cuteness!
Tamuria
12 Apr 2017I feel your pain, Susan. It’s been crazy around here lately – restarting my art school, major house renovations, extra volunteering activities and more opportunities to spend time with the Goddesses. I am always writing impossible to do lists for myself and I know well the feeling of having to let go of outcomes. When it all becomes too much, I work hard to bring myself back into the moment and when I’m focused on that, everything else seems to work out. I am so glad Mr Green is doing well.
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017That’s the key for me too, Tami–bring myself back to the moment. Mr. Green is darling! He truly may stay.
Crystal
12 Apr 2017I hadn’t considered the benefit of letting go of outcomes. It’s a wonderful idea. Abolish your premeditated plan for what should happen and enjoy (or cope) with what is happening. Sounds like something I will need to practice, though.
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017You know that old saying, Crystal–when you want to give the gods a laugh, tell them your plans. It’s one of those things I still get to practice đ
Pam
13 Apr 2017Wow! 13 puppies and I think I have my hands full with 2 adult dogs, lol. I think the single most important thing I can do to handle my frustrations is to talk it out with my sister or my best friend. It really does put everything in perspective and allows you a chance to think and talk things through and then go on with your day.
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017Doesn’t that just work wonderfully, Pam–talk to a trusted compadre. It helps me too!
Julia
13 Apr 2017How precious to give yourself the gift of that time with them ⥠I love all your tips, and especially the way you were able to turn your frustration around and appreciate all the joy and love those little fellows are bringing into your life.
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017It has been a precious gift, Julia. They are so incredibly darling, and I get to play with and love them! Ah, such joy!
Vatsala Shukla
13 Apr 2017I think it’s safe for me to say that Mr Green is the apple of your eye, Susan. đ Delighted to know the puppies are thriving – at one point we had 9 dachshunds in our home in Minsk when all 3 of our girls had babies (Bruno the father was quite the guy).
Coming back to the subject at hand, I think there is some change in energy going around, especially this week which makes every simple task appear difficult and lots of little things going wrong that add to delay. I do meditate and call out to the Angels for extra help but right now, the best solution I’ve found is to practice detachment from the outcome and keep muttering ‘my best is good enough’. Funnily, things are working out.
Lots of pats and scritches to the Puppy Gang and their Mom and virtual hugs to you, Susan. Good to know I’ve got company. đ
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017So here’s my theory on that, Vatsala. The week before Easter, there is so much negativity running around because folks are focused on the crucifixion. Once that’s done, the energy soars again! Seems to happen every year.
I love that mantra–my best is good enough. I think I’ll use that this week, thank you.
And yes, that Mr. Green just has me wrapped around his paw!
Robin
13 Apr 2017Oh my, 13 puppies; what an amazing gift you have! So glad you are enjoying them! Your article hit home withe me; giving up exercise when too busy; which is just plain self-defeating. Thanks for the kick in the pants I need.
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017I need a kick in the pants myself at times, Robin!
Sue Kearney
13 Apr 2017So adorable (I wanted more pix!), and I bet it’s hard to remember to see that when you’re pooped. Thanks for the lovely and loving reminders.
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017Oh, adorable they are, Sue! And yep, being pooped is sure taxing đ
Tami Qualls
13 Apr 2017I am going to try to implement these. I think letting go of outcomes is one of the hardest habits to break.
Susan Malone
13 Apr 2017It’s been a toughie for me, Tami. Which means it was good that I chose that one đ
Geniece Brown
13 Apr 2017Hi Susan,
First off, the primary blog post photo is super cute!! I couldn’t imagine that many puppies in the house though I’m sure my youngest kid would love a litter of puppies running around the house! Meditation is one of the things I get “too busy” for but I know it’s one of the most important things I should be doing.
Susan Malone
14 Apr 2017That’s Miss Purple, Geniece. And she is super cute! And it has been insane! Lol. Time for me to mediate . . . đ
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations
14 Apr 2017Frustration can really eat at you and bog you down if you let it. These are great ways to deal with it in a positive way so you can move on.
Susan Malone
14 Apr 2017It can, can’t it, Nancy. Thankfully we have tools to counteract that.
Reba Linker
14 Apr 2017First of all, OMG is that puppy ever cute! Second, wow, what a lesson in letting go of outcomes! I read this immediately following our friend Sue Kearney’s post, and it is a double dose of letting go. Seems the Universe wants me in on this lesson, no? Thanks for sharing, and your marvelous writing, as always, helps turn a trauma into a golden nugget – wonderful alchemy!
Susan Malone
14 Apr 2017Miss Purple is cute, Reba! They all are. So tough for me to get anything done! It helps when they sleep. Lol.
‘Tis the season for letting go, perhaps?
Jonita Dsouza
14 Apr 2017Great tips Susan. I can totally relate how we can go off the track on meditation. Done that so many times đ also I sometimes find it hard to follow the tip 3 when I feel fragile.
Susan Malone
14 Apr 2017And that’s when you need a trusted friend the most, Jonita. I know that feeling though!
Janella Panchamsingh
15 Apr 2017These are great tips. I have a short temper so I know all about this. Although its hard sometimes not losing my cool
Susan Malone
17 Apr 2017Anger can sure get us, can’t it, Janella. These tools help me!
Teresa Salhi
15 Apr 2017Letting Go has been on my ‘list’ for a while now. I even had it as my word for the year. I love how you say when you give something upâyou get lots and lots and lots of opportunities to practice it. I am so all over this and experiencing the same! Nonetheless, it is still worthwhile to me. Good luck to you too!
Susan Malone
17 Apr 2017Don’t we love those “opportunities” to grow, Teresa! I hear you!
Apolline Adiju
16 Apr 2017Wow! 13 Puppies! How don’t you lose your mind with all them under your control? You must have a busy day taking care of them and most especially playing with them. Well, I guess I can’t understand since I have never owned one myself. As for me, I deal with frustration by going into seclusion and try to reflect about it with lashing out in anger.
Susan Malone
17 Apr 2017Having 13 has been a bit overwhelming, Apolline! But they are so precious, so that helps đ
And funny–going within always really helps me too!
Kristen Wilson
16 Apr 2017Oh girl.. I feel this one.. and I think I have gotten tons better with the work stress. I starts off in a panic of all that I have to do and how I run out of time and then I think… welp.. there is always tomorrow. 9 times out of 10 I stop, determine what HAS to be done right now, do it and then tack the rest on and work through the day. I don’t meditate.. hell, I can’t still still for one freaken minute, let alone 10… but taking deep breaths, all day long does help.
Susan Malone
17 Apr 2017I hear ya, Kristen! Sometimes life is just overwhelming. And I love taking deep breaths all day long! I do that whenever I start to frenzy. Or try to remember to!
Tandy Elisala
16 Apr 2017Oh Susan… when I first learned you had all these amazing puppies, I thought.. how in the world is she getting ANYTHING else done!?! lol. I love this post so much. I can relate to every.single. point you made here. When I get uber overwhelmed and frustrated, I like to meditate, journal and take time out to think about what’s really important.
Susan Malone
17 Apr 2017Getting anything else done is a challenge, Tandy! I’ve been half goofy. Lol. But I have continued to meditate, which helps me too!
Anne
17 Apr 2017A good run around the neighborhood helps me clear my head! I can’t imagine 13 puppies! I remember when I brought my now passed Labrador home as a puppy. I was way younger and I could barely keep it together! Crazy little guys aren’t they!
Susan Malone
17 Apr 2017A good walk helps me too, Anne. And I have lots of adult Labradors to go with me! Lol.
Sounds like you’re in need of a new Labrador đ
Lorii Abela
17 Apr 2017Letting go of the outcome is a biggie. It takes patience. It also goes hand in hand with being in the moment.
Susan Malone
18 Apr 2017So true, Lorii!
Jennifer Quisenberry
18 Apr 2017Oh yes, letting go of outcomes. That’s a big one. In fact, we discussed that in one of my recent posts. It’s difficult for some of us to do, and it certainly takes a bit of getting used to doing. I’m grateful for having learned at least a little bit about how to do it. But there’s always room for improvement.
Susan Malone
19 Apr 2017It’s one of those things I get to work on a lot, Jennifer đ But like you, I’m getting at least some better at it!