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| I'd be the first to admit I don't know if this is a frog or a toad. I also don't care which it is. |
Way back when, probably as far back as high school, I heard the quote, often attributed to Mark Twain, "Eat a live frog first thing every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day." (Google is my friend and my foe. Apparently, there is controversy as to the origination of the quote. If you want to get in on that, look HERE: Quote Investigator..)
Many mornings when I have a task I'm dreading, I think about that frog (and not who may or may not have said it). I want to get my least favorite things out of the way early, so the rest of the day is mine to enjoy. What if there are several things I'd rather not do? I do the worst first, and then the next worst, and so on, and then as my tasks get checked off, the day, and my attitude, continue to improve.
After two unsatisfying nights tinged with insomnia, I didn't exactly want to spring out of bed this morning. I reached over to rub my husband's back, and enjoyed the fact that at least Chuck was with me, and he was sleeping soundly. Not even the temptation of freshly brewed coffee moved me today. I couldn't sleep, but I intended to rest.
Once we finally got up and moving, I knew I had a couple of frogs on my agenda: working out and shopping for groceries.
As far as working out, we all know that if we multi-task, the time passes more quickly. Some of us listen to music, others watch movies or TV, and I like to talk to Chuck during his commute. I realize there are some who say if you do two things at once you don't get the complete experience of either one. In this case, Chuck and I are happy to pass the time of his drive and my exercise by talking to each other. I'm more than glad to not have the complete experience of aerobic exercise. It's a less tiresome task with Chuck for company.
Grocery shopping has never been my favorite thing to do. It takes so much time away from home, it costs so much money, and then there's the getting all of those bags in the house, and the groceries don't just put themselves away.
As soon as I had eaten breakfast, I took off for Walmart. It was so nice to have my shopping done by nine, with a whole day ahead of me to enjoy as I pleased.
What frogs are you staring down today? Rather than putting them off and allowing their presence to put a damper on your day, maybe you'd like to get them eaten as soon as possible! Frogs first, enjoyment later!
Oh. I wish this worked for me! I usually have to tackle my frogs in chunks. Especially if it is a big task, I find if I break it up rather than tackle it all at once I am more successful. I like your imagery here though, and hope you met your frogs today!
ReplyDeleteOh, I do the chunking, too, Denise. But I will do better if I tackle chunks first thing, rather than wait. It seems my mood sours knowing I have things I'd rather not do waiting to be done. Thanks so much for your input!
DeleteSometimes it is my writing. Exercise is always a frog, and my hubby and I get our gym workout done before 7:30am, and sometimes getting up to do that, is my biggest frog. EVER.
ReplyDeleteOh, Stella, you made me smile. I totally understand the workout frog. Thanks so much for blogmenting! Have a great weekend!
DeleteI didn't eat the frog today. Grocery shopping. I made the list and even looked at the store ad. Wanted to look at some recipes to check ingredients for the list. Dreaded Easter shopping crowds, overspending. Finally headed out, saw parking lot was packed, and went to the drug store for basics instead. Of course I wish it was done. Now I have to eat that frog tomorrow. I'll try to remember your advice and get it over with early!
ReplyDeleteAll of the reasons you mentioned are on my list about grocery shopping, too. I hope your trip to the store is smooth, fast, and uneventful. Unless it offers some great writing fodder for you, which eventful moments seem to do! Thanks for commiserating with me.
DeleteStill haven't been to the store. Send food!
DeleteAren't you getting HUNGRY? LOL.
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DeleteMarch 30 update. Just ate March 25 frog. Bad experience but have food. #Schwansdelivers #slowfrogeater
DeleteDeb, you crack me up. Good thing Schwans saved your hide. For now.
DeleteI love my frogs roasted and dipped in a little ranch dressing. Thank you for this funny and useful reminder that tackling so many of life's tasks is in the short run, undesirable and in the long run, cause for self respect. I slept poorly last night too and your post just gave me the extra boost to tackle a few more amphibians on my long list :)
ReplyDeleteMy amphibians today included a trip to the emissions testing station. Near Chicago? Oh, MYLANTA, I figured I was in for a two hour wait, and dreaded every single moment until I got there. I was next in line, waited about 30 seconds for my two minutes test, and was on my merry way. I worry WAY too much to wait...and my worry is usually over nothing. So glad this helped, and thanks for sharing it, too!
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