Old Sweetwater

Old Sweetwater

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew







 We have all probably heard the statement, "Don't bite of more than you can chew."  It means that you should not take on too many tasks or responsibilities. As a result of taking on too much, you may fail at one or more of the tasks. Then you'll experience stress due to this decision.
In societies where people are actively encouraged to take on a lot of responsibility, people often "bite off more than they can chew."  Usually they are reluctant to ask for help because they fear being looked upon as weak or a failure.
I cannot tell you how many times I've done this.  I say "yes," then weep from fear, frustration and weariness.
Well, chickies, when it comes to GOOD stuff in life, I say, let's BITE away!!  I'm going to sink my teeth into good causes I believe in.  I'm taking a bite out of healthy, happy things this week. Anyone wish to join me? Whatta ya say?  Okay, none of the images today are exactly "healthy," but they're fun favorites of mine.  Anyone else tend to "bite off more than they can chew?"  Photos from top:caramels with sprinkled with sea salt; gummy bears, strawberry Twizzlers and the granola, which was a "guilt offering." :)

29 comments:

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Janean!

I'd be more than happy to join you in biting off more happiness than I can chew!! I love the idea!!

Happy Valentines day sweetie!!!

Hugs, Sherry

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Oh my... YES!! In fact, I've been almost choking lately on how much I've bitten off. (That didn't sound so beautiful, did it?). :)

It's funny because my daughter and I were just talking about this yesterday because I have at least three NEW things people have asked me to be involved with/help them with and they are ALL great things -- worthy of saying "yes" to. But... there is only ONE of me and lately not enough to go around.

I used the analogy of when a person is out to eat and the waiter brings out that HUGE serving tray full of all those FABULOUS desserts you've seen passing your table all night as you ate. But by the time that tray arrives at your table, you are so stuffed you just couldn't possibly have anything else.

You politely say, with hand extended out toward the waiter, "Oh no, I simply couldn't. They look absolutely wonderful, but I haven't got even a tiny spot left for another bite."

It's polite, gracious, and genuine.... Now why, oh why, do we find that so hard to do when it comes to others in our lives coming up to us with the proverbial "dessert tray" laden with this opportunity, and that need for help? Even if our "plates/tummies" are already filled to capacity, we find it so hard to politely extend the hand and decline.... ?

I'm trying so hard to be better at it. ALL the things I'm being asked to do are great -- but there is simply NO MORE ROOM left. And sometimes that just has to be "okay" and our polite "No" has to be okay, too.

Ugh... I'm still learning to do this. :)

GREAT post!!!!!

Ruth

Anonymous said...

Hell I don't bite off any more.. I just open my mouth and insert my foot all the time.. it's the natural thing for me to do.. But for happiness, I'm way over my head in that catagory and sinking fast. (heehee)

Chewy goooey treats.. I'll suck them now as my teeth don't like that sticky hard mess to deal with. The taste lasts longer and it's more 'sinful' in my book then.

with love,

Olivia

Ann On and On... said...

I'm in! Here's to good things! (Holding my ice cream...oops I mean carrot, in the air) :D

Rita said...

It is so easy to bite off more than we can chew and so hard to say "No, I'm sorry, I just can't take on another thing." Sometimes we have to do that or we wind up not being able to do anything. Sometimes it's worth taking on that "one more thing or something new." Each one has to answer that for themselves. Have fun taking on something new!

Becky Garrison said...

Right now I'm biting off a huge chunk. I'm trying to love the unloveable, even though they are making it very hard for me to do so!

KTW said...

I'd be perfectly happy to bite off more of that caramel than I can chew! ;) And I have to say that I'm getting much better at NOT taking on more tasks than I'm comfortable handling. I used to be just HORRIBLE about that and then I'd worry and fret endlessly about it. Not worth it! :)

Blondie's Journal said...

Biting off happiness...OKAY!!

xoxo
Janie

The Whispering Creek House said...

thank you for your comment on my post..hope you enjoyed it! it is so wonderful that you take time to spend time with the one you love! how awesome! thanks again!

kimsound studios said...

Is that carmel? Honestly, I'll eat pretty much anything sweet, and hug anyone that is sweet... I'm saving a big huge for you :) love you sweet girl!

Julie said...

so true so true. And I've experienced those tears and the uptight stress of feeling the pressure to get it all done...How oh how will I get all of this pulled off? well, prayed a lot that's for sure!
Love all the foodie pics. Love caramels!!!When I was a little girl my grandmother used to have homemade caramel fudge wrapped in wax paper in a drawer...oh I'm drooling thinking about how good that was. She was a farm woman cook and she was GOOD! And she also kept the little oval shaped vanilla-creme filled caramels in another drawer. My goodness, ia could have been a fat little child if I had lived with her.... lol. Enjoyed my visit as always.

Lisa said...

Oh sounds like a great idea! The good things are teh ones we should over do! Love the pics!
Hugs, Lisa

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

That first photo reminded me of the Fran's Dark Chocolate caramels with sea salt, oh, my yum! A sweet treat and great post!
Best,
Stephanie

Deb said...

I like the way you think....thank you for stopping by to visit...

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Since I'm a great believer in NOT doing what I don't want to do -- I don't bite off more than I can chew.

Very glad you have come around to this Wise Decision, yourself. :-)

Btw, why is it that women seem to think they HAVE to do everything anyone asks of them????

.♥.♥.♥.

Sharon said...

I know what you mean about biting off more that we can handle sometimes.
I now try to pace myself. Would love to bite into those caramels. wow.
thanks for sharing.

Kerrie said...

Yes, I thoroughly agree!!! I love Gummy Bears, red liquorish (SP) and even the Grenola Bar LOL! Thanks for your visit and comment at TWO HAPPY. Kerrie

Bernie said...

Hi Janean, just stopped by to thank you for your visit to my blog. Your blog is lovely and yes there have been times I have bit off more than I can chew in many ways but I love biting off more happiness every time.......:-) Hugs

DustyLu said...

Love your blog! Thanks for commenting on mine. Off to browse and become a follower..~lulu

Dena said...

Those carmels look scrumptious! Looks as though you have quite a few joining you in your challenge. Of course you can count on me! lol

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

YUMMY! I know just how you feel and the spring thing too! I want it bad, but since your in MO. you will see it before me. Hugs, Cindy

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Those are great choices. I love gummy bears. I love twizzlers too but we have been into Red Vines lately. We made dozens of carmels at Christmas, guess who ate them all....ME! I am into Peanut Butter Cups right now & of course dove chocolate. But give me some good english toffee or a haystack and I'm in heaven.

Janean said...

I'm telling you chickies, today HAS been so good and happy. Pardon me talking with my mouth so full of goodness!

Julie, your grandma was a wise woman to have "goodies" all wrapped and ready for her precious grands!

I see many of understand the "need to please" thing.

Olivia, what? I can't understand you with your foot in your mouth. LOL -- that was funny.

Ann, i'm holding a ... radish ... ye-ah.

"Aunt A's Closet' it only took me until I was 50 to do this!!! sheesh. *rolling my eyes* lol.

Hugs to all!!!!

Karen said...

Hey, I'm coming right over...smile... Of course, I did, but not so much anymore. Family obligations make saying yes, difficult.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Hi Janean!
Thank you for coming by to visit with me! I see Sherry knows you and I just adore her....she is my precious friend. I love your header photo. Is that your home? I love Jujubees and chewing stuff but I lost a filling the other day!!!!!

Please come back again, Anita

Teresa said...

Yum! Those caramels look great! I tend to bite off way more than I can chew but at least I am not bored.

Marla said...

Count me in!!

June said...

Yep, I'm in! I do want to chew on all this yummy candy too. Rats, now I have to go satisfy my sweet tooth Janean.
hugs

Julie Harward said...

Sounds like a great idea...and lots less fattening too! Come say hi :D