Making Time For Things That Matter

Hello and welcome to my crazy, busy life. Every week when I make it to Thursday, I exhale a huge sign of relief because I’ve seemly made it through all the “hard days” of the week – the days where I have to juggle both school and work. As I write this, it’s only Wednesday, but I’m over the hump so I’m taking that sigh a little early. Hey, I’m in a good mood despite being so busy so there is need to celebrate.

A quick wrap of my week: I spoke at Rotary Club about my job, finalized a date for the Dogs and Donuts fun walk I’m planning with the Humane Society, did my taxes, have interviewed soooo many people this week for stories (by the time the next paper goes out I will have written 13 stories – that might be record-breaking), got all my homework done on time, got my 10,000 daily steps in, read another book, and somehow have managed to keep myself alive for another week. I’ve also taken Caesar on a few walks and spent time wearing Jeter out with games of tug-of-war and wrestling (you always lose when wrestling a 100-pound bear-dog). Oh and by then end of the week, I will officially be a part of another group – Fort Wayne College Democrats. It’s been a busy week.

This blog is about dogs, and as I think about all the things I’ve got going on right now in my life, I am thankful that dogs are so patient. Seriously, who else would love you despite being gone for majority of the day? I’m also thankful that my dogs are well behaved enough to join me in a lot of public places, including late at night at the office, so we can at least get a little time in together. Having them join me at work is actually pretty comforting when I’m alone in a dark office late at night.

When I think about my tight schedule, I think about the amount of people I constantly see giving their dogs away. I’ve never understood people who rehome a dog because they say they don’t have time. I am the busiest I have ever been, but I’m so thankful to come home to two dogs that greet me with plenty of kisses and tail wagging.

When you get home, dogs don’t think about all the time you’ve been at work or school, they are just happy you are here now. I talk a lot about why dogs are better than humans, and this just adds to that list. Dogs won’t resent you for not spending enough time with them. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to take care of their needs, even when you are busy, but at least their expectations of how you spend that time together if often a lot lower than that of humans.

When it comes to the world of Kirsten, Caesar and Jeter are at the top of my “What’s Important To Me” list, then school, then work, then everything else. Though it’s vital for me to get homework and work done in a timely manner, I’m always conscientious of my time and make sure I give both my boys the attention they need. Sometimes that means that the time I spend with my dogs is while I write or study. There are often nights when I don’t get done with work until 11 p.m. or midnight and I still make the time to take Caesar on a walk through town.

Of course, as many of you who follow me know, weekends are where we really tackle the trails. I’ve found that more and more, I need those moments of peace in the woods with my dog in order to “reset” for the week.

When it comes down to it, people will make time for things that really matter to them. Making time for things that matter often means cutting out things that I don’t “need” – like television, for instance. It also means having to tell people “no” sometimes.

I’ve had to tell people “no” recently when they asked if I could do something for them, because after my homework and work is done, Caesar and Jeter’s needs need to be met. Some people don’t get that – and that’s fine, they don’t need to understand. I’ll never be one of those people that is “too busy” for my dogs and sometimes that means not taking on additional projects. One thing I’ve learned in life is that not everyone has to understand you or your reasons for doing things. For me, it always comes down to what is best for my mental health, and that is always spending time with Caesar and Jeter.

For some of us, saying “no” is really hard. For a long time, it was for me. I felt like I needed to say “yes” to everything or I would disappoint people. The older I get, the more I find I need to say “no” in order to keep my sanity and the less I feel I need to give anyone an explanation.

Over winter break, I about walked Caesar and Jeter to death because I didn’t have school to take up all my “free time.” I often tell people that when I graduate I’m going to be so bored that I don’t know what I will do, but the closer I get to graduation the more excited I am to spend more time with my boys.

When I’m done with school, Caesar will be almost 10 and Jeter will be almost nine years old. How perfect that maybe we can spend their senior years bored together, just enjoying life.

Lately, I’ve been using these blog post less for dog tips, and more for reflecting on my life (in part because I’m also using this blog for a school project). I think this is where the “relax” part of the website comes in, but also, I’m always taking into consideration how my life is effecting the two most important people in it. So here is me “taking paws” into consideration and “relaxing” a little bit through reflection.

I hope, at least, my reflections help some of you to do the same. I think it’s always important to take a moment during the week to calm your mind and reflect on what’s going well in your every day and maybe what is needing some work.