Ah! Co-miseration, but no advice. I think I understand. I myself seem to have problems with motivation, although not when it comes to reading books. Right now I'm looking at an unplanned day off, and I think I need to find another job.

I find that people make the time for the things that genuinely interest them. It may be you like the *idea* of doing those things better than actually doing them. The books you want to read, for example--maybe they seem like great reads, but after the first chapter, you realized they were boring or you don't really care that much. But you don't want to admit it to yourself.

If doing calligraphy really energized you, or relaxed you, as much as whatever it is you do now to fill your time, you'd do that instead. Same too with the household projects--even if you don't relish the work, if the end-result was really important to you ("I CAN NOT LOOK AT THIS MESS ANOTHER DAY!") you'd find yourself doing it.

That's what I've observed, anyway, both in myself and those around me.

Of course, something else I've come to learn recently is that it's important to schedule down-time into our lives, just like we do work--or else work will always push out the "unstructured" time. So if you find yourself REALLY wanting to do something but are perpetually busy with "more important" things, just block out the time as if it were an unmovable appointment, then force yourself to do it at that time.

I'm with you. But I somehow manage to keep busy (sometimes) doing stuff for/with other people. So maybe you need to do stuff with another person. Read through the book with a friend, or do birthday/holiday/special event cards for someone. Just my thoughts, because I definitely don't spend all my time on "productive" activities.

light your pants on fire?

I see your (plural) points.  Maybe Trebor is partly right -- my work often takes up so much of my time (at least, my mental time, if any such thing exists) that I just want to crash for large chunks of time. 

And, it's not like I'm completely inactive -- I'm taking a grad class, teaching privately, playing on the church worship team (involves a week-night rehearsal), teaching the occasional Sunday School class and being a devoted and doting husband.  I suppose it's just that the "extras" are being pushed to the side.

Notice the times that Leslie posted and that I posted.  Naturally, as I was typing, I was unaware that she was suggesting lighting my pants on fire.  I, of course, do not see her point, and I can only hope that she assumed I would not be IN my pants when the pyro-technics begin.

Hi Walt, thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom not only about 'Wild at Heart', but teaching also.  I did graduate Music Ed.  Not without some bumps in the road, but I think I learned a lot about strength and determination along the way.  I'm better for my experiences and I think it has made me a better musician and teacher.  Even Dr. Ardrey has mentioned that teaching music isn't as black and white as what Dr. Tacka and Dr. Houlahan have said.  Through my student teaching, especially when teaching elementary general music, I tried to take what I learned and integrate it into my co-op's curriculum and learn to be creative with it.  I have much to learn as far as that is concerned if I end up teaching general music at some point, but I have a good start.

I have finished the reading 'Wild at Heart' and I really felt that it did speak to me.  I don't want to change who I am, but at the same time I feel that I've been very passive about a lot of things in my life and that I often take the safe route instead of taking a chance and letting God guide me.  I think I would benefit from finding some adventure instead of sitting back doing nothing.  If you have any other thoughts, let me know.