Friday I had the chance to have coffee with a friend I probably haven't seen in six months even though she lives about 5 blocks away. We just haven't caught up. So I was telling her how excited I was to be all caught up on my work, and that with a whole five days to work this week I was sure to get ahead. Ahead? she asked. What is this concept, ahead?
What is ahead anyway? Is it simple not behind? For me, I just like to have a few things done before their actual deadline so that when unexpected obstacles arise (like your computer taking a nap...) I don't actually get behind. Behind is a lot easier to define than ahead. When I have a sick feeling in my stomach because I'm going to someone down (or God forbid, myself!) that is behind. When I have a list of 23 things that MUST be done today - that is behind.
Ahead is trickier. Every time I actually get ahead, I myseterioulsy add more to my list of commitments so that I am soon behind again. This doesn't seem very intelligent, and yet, once ahead what else am I supposed to do with my imaginary free time? And this week - oops, I forgot I have something all day Thursday. There goes any chance of ahead this week. Maybe next...
Is there such a thing as ahead? Or are you so behind you've never stopped to ponder?
Monday, September 8, 2008
Catching Up
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5 comments:
Whenever I feel "caught up" I give myself a little treat... sitting on my patio in peace with a cup of coffee and a book.
I don't really think I've ever been ahead. Where's the fun in not having something important rattling around in your head? That would be way too sane...
Lela,
You make a valid point. We strive so hard to get ahead, that we never relish in the beauty of getting there.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
Sylvia C.
However, the feeling of being ahead is nice when I have things done "before" they need to be...and I'm not scrambling to do things at the last minute.
Every now and then in my job, I would get ahead. As a stay-at-home mom it never, ever happens. :)
Ahead? Hmmm. Interesting concept.
I was just discussing this concept with a friend of mine yesterday. I can't seem to get "ahead" to save my life. Mostly, I do it to myself, agreeing to do too much or surfing the Internet too much or both. I like being busy, but there are times when I know it's important to scale back, for sanity's sake. And it feels extra sweet when I can.
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