#Letgo

Thank you to Judy Ervin Porter for posting the video below.  Please watch.

 Let Go

Last year I know I annoyed a lot of people with saying No. No to volunteering. No to late appointments. No to Girls Night Out. No to Book Club. No to fundraising. "What's wrong with Lori?" they've asked.

Nothing.

I have the very amazing privilege of working with people in various stages of their lives. I have watched people age over the past 20 years. Loud and clear I hear how they want more time to just enjoy and live more slowly.

I have always struggled with:

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."

Luke 12:48

I've felt obligated because I have been given much.  

"But you would be so good at this..."

For now, the answer is no. It doesn't mean I don't love you. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy being with you. It doesn't mean I don't support your causes. It just means I need to breathe. To enjoy to life.

I am so grateful for my family, my career, my friends, my clients-- all of it.

But if I didn't step back to simply enjoy it, I will miss it.  And then what was the point?

So please, before you ask, the answer is no.

For 45 years, it was "What else can I do?  How can I help?"

But right now, no.

I'm taking a break. Putting on my own oxygen mask.

Last year it felt pretty darn good, so I'm sticking with it.  

No.

Of course, no doesn't mean hibernating -- I'm certainly still engaged, but it's in the things that impact my kids and my family.

Girl Scouts is fun time with my daughter and her friends.

Helping with jazz band is one of my favorite hours all week.  My son commented that the kids enjoy it, too- I'm apparently "cool."  How many moms play trombone?

I love our alumni committee and I truly enjoy working with the high school seniors- love it.  They are inspiring and make me hopeful.  I get to see their lives change and doors open.

My business, while tedious at times, is rewarding and I know I make a difference.  I just cleaned out my office at the beginning of the year and I have a file of letters & cards clients have sent over the years thanking me.  When it's a bad day, I read them, cry and remember the world doesn't suck

But you need someone to do this and to do that and to change the world?

For now, the answer is no.