24 Hours
I have to admit that I get really annoyed when someone says that they could write if they had more time in their day -- as if somehow writers got more time than other people.
The thing is, we're all given the same number of hours in a day and it's how we choose -- or have to -- spend them. If you have a day job (and many writers do have a part-time or full-time job), you find a way to get some writing done because it's so important to you. First you take care of what has to be done like working that job or feeding your family and then you decide on where to put your emphasis whether it's writing or some other interest.
Faith, family, community, work come first for the Amish. It's not always the same for Englischers. A textbook for a college course I used to teach featured a poll where people from all over the world were asked what is most important to them. While we talk a lot about family being important, in fact, the poll showed that Americans actually valued independence more. That's not true of the Amish culture. In Amish communities, family and community are valued more than personal independence. So often on this site, people talk about how they wish they could simplify their lives and how they admire the Amish for living teh way that they do. They wonder if they could function without cell phones or computers or television -- and especially, without electricity.
How does this relate to finding time in your day for what's important to you? Obviously if we have families, we don't abandon them for our personal needs or independence. But after meeting those needs, surely there must be SOME time we can hold apart for ourselves. I try to make time for my faith and family first and give less attention and time to things like having a perfectly clean home (folding laundry went first...). Learning to say no to people or things or concerns that will get in the way of my faith and family and writing was hard, but it's helped me to keep true to my vow to have time for my needs and interests. That old saying about "if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is true.
Electricity -- something the Amish avoid using -- helps us extend our day endlessly. So we keep trying to get one more thing done, often to our detriment. So last night, when I shut down the computer after working on my edits for the second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County, I remembered that I hadn't written my blog for AmishHearts. I knew if I tried to do one more thing I was going to have trouble getting up to spend time with my grandkids. I put myself in bed. I turned out the light.
And so here's my column, a little late.
I hope that you enjoy a wonderful weekend and give yourself permission to do something for yourself -- whether it's to write or read or just relax.
Barbara
The thing is, we're all given the same number of hours in a day and it's how we choose -- or have to -- spend them. If you have a day job (and many writers do have a part-time or full-time job), you find a way to get some writing done because it's so important to you. First you take care of what has to be done like working that job or feeding your family and then you decide on where to put your emphasis whether it's writing or some other interest.
Faith, family, community, work come first for the Amish. It's not always the same for Englischers. A textbook for a college course I used to teach featured a poll where people from all over the world were asked what is most important to them. While we talk a lot about family being important, in fact, the poll showed that Americans actually valued independence more. That's not true of the Amish culture. In Amish communities, family and community are valued more than personal independence. So often on this site, people talk about how they wish they could simplify their lives and how they admire the Amish for living teh way that they do. They wonder if they could function without cell phones or computers or television -- and especially, without electricity.
How does this relate to finding time in your day for what's important to you? Obviously if we have families, we don't abandon them for our personal needs or independence. But after meeting those needs, surely there must be SOME time we can hold apart for ourselves. I try to make time for my faith and family first and give less attention and time to things like having a perfectly clean home (folding laundry went first...). Learning to say no to people or things or concerns that will get in the way of my faith and family and writing was hard, but it's helped me to keep true to my vow to have time for my needs and interests. That old saying about "if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is true.
Electricity -- something the Amish avoid using -- helps us extend our day endlessly. So we keep trying to get one more thing done, often to our detriment. So last night, when I shut down the computer after working on my edits for the second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County, I remembered that I hadn't written my blog for AmishHearts. I knew if I tried to do one more thing I was going to have trouble getting up to spend time with my grandkids. I put myself in bed. I turned out the light.
And so here's my column, a little late.
I hope that you enjoy a wonderful weekend and give yourself permission to do something for yourself -- whether it's to write or read or just relax.
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 8/6/2010 9:44 PM 
Categories: Amish lifestyle, Quilts of Lancaster County, A Time to Love
Tags: Amish fiction
Categories: Amish lifestyle, Quilts of Lancaster County, A Time to Love
Tags: Amish fiction
I agree with your comments completely, we often fill our lives, with unnecessary things and then there is no time left for the important things, unless we can keep our goal in plain view and then activity pursue it.
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Barbara, it sounds like you have found the secrets to a well balanced life! I agree that faith and family are the topmost priorities. I've also learned that many things, like taking time to help a friend or family member, come before the endless tasks of house cleaning, etc. Getting our priorities in order makes for a more peaceful existence, whether we are Amish or not!
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Barbara, I understand and respect what you wrote. Yes all of us have many things going on. One thing I hhave learned since moving from Orlando to a small community in GA. That our faith and relationship with God, reading His Word and doing the best to my ability for myself, family and the simple things in life mean more than anything. I may have electrity and a computer but no internet except on a cell phone., no cable or anything like that no ac but we have found that you can make it and still be happy. I thank the Lord for all my tests and trials. It's a new look on life. Thank you for your writings and your blog. God bless.
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Hi Barbara, I absolutely love what you wrote....it is so true......and I am one of the bunch you spoke of.....there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day....I am retired and live alone, one of my kids live about 12 miles from me and I try to help her out as much as she needs me to, I never say no to her....I can always do tomorrow what I had intended to do today........it can wait......I wanted to retire so I could live closer to her and help out when she needed me. I don't have any hobbies except read....and I dearly love reading about the AMISH , but I only read whenever I have a few minutes to spare......and am on the computer until my back starts to hurt, then I get up and do something.....I can always find something to do......as the old saying goes....A WOMAN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE.....isn't that the truth ? Keep the articles coming.....love them.....Mona
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