Last.Damn.Call

The proverb, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” (or playground), means that when people are not busy, they are more likely to get into mischief or trouble. Well, hells bells, ain’t that the truth.

And I don’t just mean trouble as in bored teenagers looking for something to get into. While this most definitely can be true…my mother’s words come flooding back to me from when I was about 16 years old and arguing over my curfew. I remember adamantly and with great conviction trying to convince my mother to let me stay out later every single weekend. I had the earliest curfew out of most of my friends, and I always felt a tad embarrassed when we tailored whatever we were doing so I could make it home in time. My mom always said, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” And she was probably correct.

In the big scheme of my own life, “idle hands” are no longer a problem as far as me getting myself into “physical” trouble (drinking, being an idiot, etc). What I do find to be my own personal danger when it comes to “idle hands” is the mental trouble I sometimes find myself in. Wheels always turning. The “what ifs” of life. The never-ending scenarios I can create in my tiny brain. I can get myself worked up about a situation that might possibly, maybe, kinda sorta happen–but probably won’t.

Why do I find myself in this predicament? Simply put–because a lack of activity can lead to negative thoughts and actions. This is why I have trouble falling asleep. Idle brain, I guess. What if my alarm doesn’t go off? Then I will be in trouble at work. Then so and so will be mad at me. I could lose my job. My family would be disappointed. I would be on a dreaded job hunt… During THE HOLIDAYS.

It is absolutely ridiculous. And I 1000% know this. Will I still do it? Probably. But I feel like recognizing I do this is a big step in the right direction. If I can stop the spiral into the vortex of the shit show my brain is concocting, then maybe I can escape it before I spiral too far.

Everyone worries. Depending on your faith in God or a Higher Power or the universe or whatever you believe in…I feel like that’s a place to always turn to. I know if I stop and pray for God to take it off my hands, I feel better immediately. No, nothing is resolved. Nothing is completely removed from my mind. But it helps take some weight off my shoulders. Because every day has troubles of its own. That whole “one day at a time” thing is true. Taking things as they happen rather than constantly worrying about the negative possibilities.

During the holiday season and even just in your day-to-day life, try to remember not to idle too long. Don’t sit and stew and let your thoughts consume you. Take life as it comes. Personally, I pray. Do whatever helps you not to obsess and sit in “idle” mode about things you cannot necessarily control. Breathe, and take it one day at a time. Maybe even an hour at a time. Whatever helps–do exactly that. At the end of the day, life always works out in the way it is intended to. Life is always a magical mystery…and I think that is kind of amazing.