I always have plan. Often, a list, too.

And if it doesn’t look like it, then I have a plan to read a book.In fact I have a list of about 400 books to read. So it’s more of a habitual plan than anything else.

But sometimes I don’t get to the things on my list. Sometimes it’s because I get a little lazy or tired, but often I am just choosing different things that are less measurable, but more memorable.

This weekend was for choosing different things. Today we hiked, played card games, laughed and chatted. Yesterday we went to the aquarium and played more card games.

It has been fun, but has tested my resolve for this writing challenging.

I knew this 31 day challenge would be a little extra challenging at this point in the month because of this planned family time. But I chose to do it anyway. So here I am in the middle of this challenge. Struggling a bit to show up, but still showing up.

This post might be getting a little shorted today, and the two days before this were completely missed, but this time with my family can’t be missed. In this house, for this week, with these family people, this is where I am right now.

But I can still write. It is possible to modify my own expectations to meet the needs of the moment a little better. It might take a little more creativity or the willingness to do a little less, but it doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. It’s a give and take. Some days or weeks have more natural time for writing, and some have more time for family. Juggling the tension of both/and is all part of the fun.

It might even make each piece a little better for the attention.

This month I am joining the #write31days community to explore the idea of the Whole Together Family because I believe we get be who God created us to be – together. Find the whole list posts here or click on the image.