By Tara Dimick,
I grew up in an oil field shop where cussing was the rule, not the exception. So, I’m sure I’ve offended a few (okay more than a few) people by dropping an inappropriate adjective here and there. But one four-letter word really makes my blood boil. No, not the usual S%&#, F@$* or D#%&. The word that makes me crazy is B-U-S-Y.
We all use this word in everyday phrases to others, like: “I know you’re busy, but…” or “You seem busy, but…” Or, in personal statements, like: “I’m too busy…” or “If only I wasn’t busy…” It seems harmless. Heck, if you would have told me a year ago that the word “busy” was a bad word, I would have had my back up against the wall ready to defend my busyness.
Over the last several months, I’ve been asking myself why a silly word that is so common in our vocabulary can cause me so much angst. The answers I found were simple but painful.
As an adjective, busy means to have a great deal to do; as a verb, it means to keep occupied. Eek! No wonder this word makes me crazy – I don’t want to just “keep occupied because I have a great deal to do.” That is not what I signed up for. If I just stay “busy” I’ll never reach my goals, my dreams or my purpose.
But this revelation also brings great discomfort and causes me to use my second most hated word…NO. Why would I dislike the word no, you ask? Because I am horrible at saying it. To be honest, I’m even horrible at thinking it, and I know I’m not alone. At this moment I know some of you are shaking your heads right now in agreement, saying “AMEN SISTER!” (fist bump, fist bump). The rest of you are rolling your eyes because you do have the ability to say no and think I’m crazy.
So my epiphany is simple. Busy is okay, busy is good, busy is life – but (yes there is always a “but”) only when it walks hand in hand with purpose.
Take a quick look at where you want to go and make sure “busy” doesn’t cause unwanted detours on your path.
