Ahh. Flowers.  

A little fun fact about myself is that I love flowers. I love flowers a whole lot, and, I love all kinds of flowers. Big ones, little ones, white ones, solid, ones, colorful ones. I even love the parts of a floral bouquet that aren’t the flowers, but instead, the supportive greenery. When it comes to planting flowers, I love every aspect of that too, even the weeding.  

The problem is though, I bring my flower perspective every. where. I. go.  

In elementary, I read every book, attended every sports practice (and even the high school ones), was apart of every “club”, school sanctioned or not, started a business with my best friend, and added an extra level of care into every subject (my first tutor gig was in 4th grade).  

In high school, I was a four-sport athlete until an injury, played large roles in One Act, got the speech team a few extra points when needed on weekends, was an FFA officer and fierce competitor in every competition, kept good grades, was active in my church and 4-h groups showing 3 species one year, worked a job to pay for those animals, and outside of my options in school, and out of school, I still found time to start projects of my own  

Per habit, I brought this trend to college. But, the difference with college is that they can’t max you out like my small list of High School options. At UNL, there are over 500 Registered Student Organizations, and to add to that, the ones that took up my most time weren’t even on that list! Oh, and not to mention, I got a job too. And then, ANOTHER job (not to mention, both were understaffed and one included night calving at a site 45 minutes away) When I did my schedule that spring, I almost didn’t schedule time to EAT let alone study! (I was seriously luckily I noticed that the day I finalized my school and work schedules) And then I had to remember to keep my relationship with God and my friends (including a new boyfriend) in check.  

I was taught a lesson after a hard fight with mono (worsened by the rollover wreck I was in a week and half earlier). My body was under so much stress, it literally shut down. 

I like to say I am intentional and take my time in the moment, or in other words, stop to smell the roses. But I don’t. I smell the entire field! Rushing from flower to flower, taking no time to appreciate its individual beauty, smell, and simple being… 

…which is the whole point.  

My challenge to you today (as well as myself) is to stop, really stop, and smell the dang roses. It’s not being lazy, it’s not wasting time. It’s being in tune with yourself and life around you offering time for gratitude and reflection. I do all these great things, that will absolutely build me, but if I ever want to tell another how, why and to what extent, I have to answer that for myself first. When I am angry and upset about the world around me, it’s usually because I am only focusing on the now, and the future (because It’s all I have time for) and I forget about the amazing day I just had 24 hours before. And currently, I don’t have time scheduled to be there in the unanticipated times when my friends need me, both physically and emotionally.  

 I have a habit of making the line between “busy” and “focused” quite blurry, and maybe you do too. Serve yourself, and serve others better by choosing something to slow down in. Whether that’s not going to every optional meeting, signing up for every committee, or learning to say no to an opportunity, because I promise, another will come. 

But Abby, I CANT give ANYTHING up????  

Don’t worry, I came prepared  

You’ll need a piece of paper and 3 columns, with the third being slimmer than the first two. 

List everything you are involved in and do (and I mean everything)  

Write down why you said yes to the first thing  

Rate, honestly rate, out of 10 how well that “thing” is accomplishing its initial purpose. Beware, you will try to defend your things  

I think you’ll know where to go from here. 

Happy Smelling, more intentionally!