It’s a Life Roll

When I told my husband this week’s blog post was about chaotic times in life, he replied, “Dean Wesley Smith calls those Life Rolls.”

The first time I heard that term it instantly reminded me of Raiders of the Lost Ark when that giant stone comes rolling toward Indiana Jones. All Indy’s carefully laid plans are out the window, and there’s nothing he can do but react, hoping to stay ahead of the boulder rolling his way.

Life Roll.

I love being able to put a name to what I’ve been experiencing the last several weeks, and this week in particular.

Life happens…and being able to roll with it is imperative.

Sometimes a Life Roll is small and easy to deal with, but other times they’re bigger and more all-encompassing–with the ability to throw me off track for huge chunks of time until I can regroup.

Sometimes Life Rolls are predictable, and other times they sneak up and catch me off guard.

Here in mid-Missouri it’s been Life Roll Central. We’ve been slammed by cold, unrelenting winter weather. The skies have too often been gray, and the snow — all the SNOW — has caused all sorts of plans to be rearranged or cancelled. Mother Nature has cost me lots of time.

It’s a Life Roll.

Add to that being slammed with work deadlines, and I’m behind schedule from where I wanted to be when I planned out the first 12 weeks of this year.

Another Life Roll.

Then factor in the “regular life” stuff like this week — Ice Show Week — when our figure skater son is participating in our local rink’s presentation. Three different numbers and three different costumes — tech rehearsals, pictures, dress rehearsals and three shows over the weekend.

It’s a Life Roll.

Nothing to do but roll along with with it. 

But how?

Pull out those Special Rules for Life Rolls (a.k.a. The Plan for Life When it Hits the Fan).

Show yourself some grace and mercy. You can’t do everything, so ditch  everything that isn’t absolutely necessary…then do the best you can and don’t worry about the rest. 

Take Care of the Basics. Is there food? Do we have the essentials like coffee and toilet paper? Is the laundry caught up so at least we’ve got clean socks and underwear. Can we get to bed early so we don’t get run down?

Set Some Reminders. Have you written encouraging notes and stuck them in your kid’s lunch box? Do that for yourself! Tape a note saying “Next week will be better!” on the mirror. Set a phone notification that says  “Chaos. Is. Temporary.”

Soak It All In. Because Life Rolls are temporary, I figure I might as well absorb every moment of it so I remember it and try learn from it.  Soaking in this year’s Ice Show Life Roll, I know what to do next year when Ice Show week rolled around. 

Celebrate When It’s Done. Give yourself a reward when life returns to normal. Start that new book you’ve looked forward to reading. Treat yourself to a manicure. Schedule time for a weekend indulging in a favorite hobby. 

And now—wish me luck! I wrote this during last weekend, because I knew I’d be in the middle of a life roll on Tuesday…it’s Ice Show Week!