Kelley, church service is a hard thing to give up. Don’t I know it. I took a leave of absence from teaching Sunday school back in May because I knew I’d be really busy the next several months. I tried to quit entirely because it’s been hard to have that as a set obligation every Sunday (and I’d already done it for 5 years), but when the moment came, I chickened out and went with “temporary leave of absence.” It’s definitely one of those “should” activities for me, because the church has a hard time finding teachers, I really enjoy it (when I have time), and I know the kids had fun, too. But sometimes I want my freedom!

So I don’t have an answer to that one. Check back in 500 months when a. fortis and I are comparing notes.

(I’ll let you know when I’ve mastered that, in about 500 years…)

Patrick, I say choose writing and let your empire handle itself for a while.

Laura, I know you’re already on that road. You’ve been un-shoulding like crazy lately (half-marathon, etc.). Solidarity, sistah.

Adrienne, I like that “must” theory. You’re right–if we do something, it must be because we’re getting something out of it. What I’m trying to look at is whether some of those “shoulds” are really “musts,” or merely optional. And yeah, I think you would like that book–a lot. Her film was so positive and fun, too. She’s a real sass.

Alkelda, I hear that–nobody wants to be bullied into being kind and generous. It’s only fun when it comes from the heart. I think you’re right that the key is to work on your own feelings of generosity, then letting them express themselves naturally. Down with bullying–it’s always out there, no matter what age you are.

Little Willow, it’s hard when people know you’re the nice person they can always count on–a lot of times people just keep asking and asking, assuming that when it’s too much you’ll speak up and say so. It’s hard to learn the speak up part, though, isn’t it? We’re always so afraid people will get mad. Sigh. A work in progress.

Currently, whenever I do something in a volunteer capacity, there’s a part of me that grumbles and complains that I just want to be left alone. What I’d like to do is exhort myself to be more generous and giving to other people in a gracious, unbegrudging way. However, when someone else tells me, “You should …” the grumbling burbles to the surface!

We are all not guaranteed a tomorrow…we need to live for today.
This past weekend has given me a new perspective on life…it usually does. This year more so than others. I have taken more time for myself. The 3-Day walk is just one thing that I do for myself and I have been taking more time for myself to write, read more, and take care of my health. Something that we need to do and not just say we “should” do.

Wow, what a perfect blog for this Monday morning! Bravo Robin!

I keep thinking I might read Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. I love the way this woman has chosen to live her life. A lot of people think a cancer diagnosis means you have to put your life on hold. You may have to change a lot of things about your life, but you’re still quite as alive as you ever were. I’m glad whenever I hear people talk about embracing that life.

I ’should’ defend the universe from death guinea pigs, I ‘want’ to write my novel.

I did not have a problem with ‘want\should’ before I had a universe to protect, though I will not claim that is because I am male. More of a space lord thing, I would think, you know, supreme arrogance and all that.