Back from the brink

Sir William George Gillies, Galloway Landscape (1953)

I'm not entirely sure how the last three weeks became so busy, chaotic, and stressful. I felt completely overwhelmed. Yet I have a light teaching load and none of the responsibilities that many academics have (caring for children or elderly parents, for example); it should all have been a cakewalk, and I am a bit mystified about what happened.

Well, fine, I overcommitted myself, and I took on time-consuming unpaid labor for no good reason other than "It would be nice for this to be done, and if I don't do it, no one else will." (Which in fact is not a good reason.) I did meet some urgent deadlines, though not always in the most graceful or impressive way. But I also neglected some important conversations and dear friends.

It was not a great time.

But at 9:30 pm on Saturday the last of my tasks was completed, and I didn't entirely embarrass myself, and I felt such immense and immediate peace. Sunday worship was glorious. And now I am committed to doing nothing all week but eating, sleeping, working out, and just generally passing my time in rest and quietness.

As soon as I write up my Intro to Philosophy exam, obviously.