Dropping the Ball: Oh dear

A few years back, I was strongly advised that I needed to drop the ball once in awhile in order to give others the opportunity to figure out the schedules and planning that are involved in having a family, working and other such things that happen in my world. Being a person that likes to control my own environment, the thought of allowing others to take over the management of my life when I choose to go away for conferences, training or just plain fun can be rather overwhelming. I have to admit that I have got better at it. I don't call to check up on the operational center and I seem to have got to the point that I trust that the girls will get to their nefarious activities on time.

And then...there was this weekend.

So...I have learned some invaluable lessons. Dropping the ball means that sometimes it bounces and rolls away. Not everyone wants to pick up the ball and carry it. It isn't that I want it done my way. Or expect that things will occur exactly as I have planned. My skills in that area are rumored to be unique although I am still trying to work out why. I simply expect the girls to get to their activities, get fed, and homework gets done. Simple right?

Apparently not.

Why is what I do so bizarre? Why is it that I am doing it wrong? When I am home, the schedule flows without too much in the way of hiccups. The only thing that sometimes screws things up is a bit of snow or road construction. I realize that the mishaps of this weekend are my fault. I didn't call to check in, check up or even check out. I had to wish my lovely daughter happy birthday over the phone due to being at a work conference and left the calls to that. I left an excel documented schedule, outlook calendar and a note card cross referenced to the schedules on the fridge. I didn't leave enough information for it to all work. Yet, it is my fault.

Sometimes...it boils down to this. I am allowed time away. It is good for me and the girls. I need work training to stay current in the issues and trends that make my career viable and valuable. There are resources and connections that have to be made in order to pursue further growth and development. I had fun and I learned. I just learned more than I intended to. I leave you with this.