Return of the Brains

Summer has finally arrived, and my missing brain has returned. I also suspect the reason it went AWOL. Stay with me, and I'll explain. There is an idea circulating, which states that men's brains function like a warehouse of boxes: a box for each person, job, project, etc. I do not pretend to understand this, though I have tried to implement it. Women's brains function more like a ball of wire: people, jobs and projects constantly overlap, intertwine, and affect each other. Men keep their subjects separated. Women keep everything connected.

Now that the groundwork is laid, lets pose a question.

What happens to a man who has too many things going on? Well, if there isn't enough time in the day, certain boxes simply don't get attention. Something gets dropped. Eventually, someone will point out the ignored box. Depending on the delivery and reception, this information can start a fight, or change a flight plan.

What happens to a woman who has too many things going on? When all things are going at once, life becomes a cacophony. The noise level rises in every area, not just the one which is experiencing difficulties. Life becomes overwhelming and she becomes stressed.

For the homeschool Mom, there is blessedly less to keep track of with the arrival of summer. Classes are over and grades have been given. We can dismiss all thoughts concerning schoolwork. We can also dismiss the satellite issues that come with school. Keep in mind, that the issues do not have their own boxes, and are ever present. These include: each child's calling; each core class/elective; grades; imparting motivation, and spiritual, ethical, moral growth; kids' social lives; self learning; and keeping guard over commitment levels. Add the people connected to each outside activity. For co-ops, add planning meetings, and obligatory 'social' events. Fun? Sometimes. Insanity? A definite possibility.

And then summer arrives! Our brain, released from it's bondage of constant overload, re-discovers thinking. For some of us, our emotions tentatively peek out from their hidey-hole. For others, our emotions touch ground for the first time in months. We stare at the life around us. We are in awe. We notice all kinds of things, bringing them to the attention of those around us with the amazement of Columbus discovering the New World.

Yes. I have discovered what happened to my brain.

It's a good think I didn't try to figure this out during the school year.