Image courtesy of suvodeb
I’m feeling MUCH, MUCH better! Still not quite 100%, but a whole lot closer than I was when I posted the first part of the this post on Thursday night.
First, I just wanted to thank everybody who took the time to stop by and leave their words of encouragement. This is a great testament to the caliber of community here in our corner of the blogging world.
So last week you got the long and short of my experience in the ER. Now I’d like to talk about the ‘Really Gets You Thinking’ part. Laying on your back in a hospital bed, writhing in pain, tends to get you pondering the odds and ends of your daily existence. Suddenly the minor details as well as distractions from those things of greatest importance, show themselves to be parasitic to the lifestyle and habits you deeply want to embrace. Spending time with family and friends and creating positive memories becomes a much weightier endeavor as some of your loftier pursuits fade into the background.
Buying a crib is top on my list.
As Liz and I prepare for little Tyson to make his entrance into this air breathing society we’ve been working to get the nursery setup and situated. For the last couple of weeks Liz has been pressing the matter of crib purchase. I’ve been putting the breaks on this request as I’ve been super busy (as always) and not quite ready to assist (we want to do it together). But the fact is, I’m only as busy as I allow myself to be. I have a choice to make the necessary time. And what’s more important? I think I’ve had my head stuck in the blogging sand so long that I’ve started to lose touch with the life that I’ve set out to live. Nothing major, just a bit off course.
So I’ve decided to make some changes to my online ventures and the busyness that’s kept my crib-to-blog time off kilter.
First, you may notice that the banner to the right of Motivate Thyself says Frugal Site Design, not Cloud Cadet. This is because I’ve decided to morph together two of my websites. Right before I started Cloud Cadet I had started Frugal Site Design. Basically, FSD was a web design business and Cloud Cadet a blogging service blog. Now it’s just Frugal Site Design, the combination of affordable web design AND bloggng service business. I just wanted to clarify this so it didn’t look like I completely flaked out on Cloud Cadet. It just didn’t make sense to run two different sites when one was suited to do both. I’m trying to CUT THE FAT.
Next, we have my blogs. I will certainly continue to post on both Motivate Thyself and Blogopolis Bluepent, but probably not as much. As far as The Blueprint goes I will post around twice a week and Sean will do about the same. But for Motivate Thyself it’s all a matter of how I feel from week to week. I will most likely keep it at least as consistent as once a week, but beyond that I really don’t know. If I’ve got something useful to share, I’ll share it. If not, I won’t. Pretty simple, something I’m trying to shoot for here.
If anything, I hope to layout some more thought/discussion provoking posts as I keep it to publishing posts of passion and/or conviction. I’ve never really been into fluff, but at this point I just don’t have time to lay down the fluffy stuff. On Motivate Thyself I want REAL discussions about REAL LIFE issues and interests. Nothing necessarily new, just a mindset that has been rejuvenated by my recent hospital stay.
The STRAW that broke the camels back.
I’m not trying to play this up like a near death experience that has gone and changed everything. This was just the last straw. I’ve been stretching myself beyond my healthy level of buoyancy. I’ve been trying to do too many things at once and have started to see those things of greatest importance (like my family and my health) start to suffer. So I’m just trying to reign it all in, cut the fat and hold tight to those things that have the biggest bang for their theoretical buck.
That’s all I’ve got today. Thanks for stopping by and catching up. Until next time…
It’s easy to stretch too far on this blogging and online stuff. I’ve noticed a lot of other people cutting back, stopping, or, more extreme, flat out flaming out. One needs to chart the course that is prudent for him/her before being totally overwhelmed.
Mike Goad’s last blog post..Mini-Depression?
“If I’ve got something useful to share, I’ll share it. If not, I won’t.”
To me, this is a blog at its best.
Good idea about lightening the load and focusing most of your time on what’s actually giving you returns.
Less posting isn’t always a bad idea for a blog. Often, I like that approach as a reader.
Bamboo Forest – PunIntended’s last blog post..Clowns are Downright Creepy
I’m right there with you Eric!
I have a lot on my plate professionally too: my blog, starting my business, recording an album, a full time job, and a part time commitment to the National Guard. Not to mention family, friends, and a very patient girlfriend!
I too have begun cutting the fat. I’m scaled back posting to about once or twice a week to my blog. I’ve scaled back the intense timeline of my business start up, no need to rush it. I’ve scheduled my album recording so that I have breaks in between different milestones so I can catch my breath.
There’s no reason to rush any of this stuff. There’s EVERY reason to take a step back, and enjoy the ride with the ones you love.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy’s last blog post..5 Overlooked Characteristics Of A Successful Computer Consultant
It takes good thinking to recognize when your priorities need to shift. It also takes courage to let something go, especially something you are passionate about.
Based on what you have presented, I’d say you’re making the right decision!
Pretty amazing how quickly things change when a little one enters the picture, huh?
Greg Syferd’s last blog post..4 Areas To Focus Your Thinking On
@Mike Bamboo Forest Matt Greg
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Eric,
I like your plan. I also like frugal site design as the name because it flat out says what it is about. You’re smart for cutting back before the baby comes. You don’t want to miss one precious moment. Good going…
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magic Mondays with Eric Hamm
I think I am cutting back on many fronts…I have been giving books to fundraisers and got rid of Christmas decorations I no longer need…Goodwill the unworn clothes…
I am packing up the kids rooms for when they get launched and that feels like a good move/parenting move too..
It is so freeing.
I hope not too many people don’t drop out, but just work at levels that are right for them…
Glad you are feeling better…I am too today – finally!
Good health to us both…good post
Patricia’s last blog post..Sunday Dinner
I meant to say – I hope not too many people drop out…I think I need to go to bed!
Patricia’s last blog post..Sunday Dinner
@Patricia: I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better! To our health!
Preparing for a baby has forced us to further simplify and as you pointed out, it’s such a freeing feeling. Eric
Glad you’re feling better. I’ve been worried.
I gave up teaching because of burnout. I felt awful and guilty about it, especially as money’s tight in our house. I thought of the years of training and experience just laid aside and packed up into boxes. But then I bumped into an old student of mine, a lovely Spanish guy who said “You burned out because you had passion and were on fire. i wouldn’t want a teacher who wasn’t.”
You have integrity, intensity and passion, Eric. Take care, rest and make sure you have plenty left to spare for your new family …and for us!
Hey Eric….
I’m very much the same right now… too much on with my priorities elsewhere. All the very best my friend, you have some busy times up ahead.
Ross’s last blog post..The heart of life
@janice: Thanks, Janice! Sounds like you can relate.
@Ross: Thanks, Ross! I’m both excited and a bit nervous about the coming months. But mostly excited…Eric
Hi Eric,
So sorry to hear about your brush with the ER! I’d say don’t feel bad at all that the doc couldn’t figure out what was wrong, perhaps that means your body had already got rid of the cause of the problem.
Several years ago, my bf at the time had a similar thing, I stayed with him in the ER, he was suffering from severe abdominal pain & got sick to the point of vomiting blood. He was given pethidene which settled him a bit, the next morning he was slightly better (i.e. able to walk and no longer vomiting blood!) but tests couldn’t find anything wrong so he was sent home (and told the usual bug thing!), a long time later though a doctor he saw suggested that it could have been a kidney stone that was broken up and/or passed before they carried out all their tests, which possibly explained why they couldn’t find anything.
I hope you are on the mend and feeling better
@Bonnie: You know, the doctors mentioned the kidney stone possibility and it sounds more and more like that’s what happened. I guess we’ll see if that’s a future issue. I sure hope not. Thanks for letting me know about your boy friend’s findings. Eric
@Tess: Thanks, Tess!
As far as the website name is concerned, I was definitely going for straight and to the point, so I’m glad to hear you agree with the tactic.
And as for the coming little boy, it was definitely a blessing in disguise as I certainly needed to simplify either way. The baby just made that more apparent and forced me to act sooner and more swiftly. Eric
Eric,
I had my own ER/hospitalization experience two years ago that I just wrote about on my own blog, http://happinessinthisworld (and we welcomed our first child, a boy, soon after!) so I have some idea about what you went through. I’m a doctor myself and it was–as my post attests–an incredibly frightening and ultimately life-changing experience. Glad you got through it okay.
Alex @ Happiness in this World’s last blog post..Overcoming The Fear Of Death
I just read the post. Sounds like we have a lot in common.
Glad we both came out it better off than before. Eric
Glad to hear you’re feeling better! Saw Liz this weekend and she looks great! I recommend a blogspot called “Prayer of Hannah” for your and Liz’ information. It is written by several Christian women I know discussing children, husbands, and family life. Not professionals but a group of caring moms networking. Just FYI! Thinking of you, Liz and precious Tyson!
Thanks Angie! We’ll check it out.
Yeah, Liz really enjoyed the shower and was so glad you came!
Eric