I am so worn out. I know, we all are worn out.

[alfredo]

My first rule should be, only work one campaign. Learn to say no.

I have one more precinct to walk by Friday. I have to do it myself, all other volunteers are either busy are burned out.

Saturday and Sunday I am walking. Monday is GOTV madness, then Tuesday I have to get up and go work the polls.

Wednesday I sleep.

Thursday I will get up, eat breakfast then jump back in bed.

[wildeyed]

1. I have been more protective of my personal life this year.

In 04 I dropped everything to do election work. I had two kids in diapers and we had just moved. We lived out of boxes for months. But I had this sense that if I could just do a little more, maybe I could avert the disaster of a second Bush term. After the election, I had nothing to fall back on emotionally. I was destroyed. Katrina pushed me that much farther into the pit. My anger was really beginning to be a problem.

This year I am working consistently. I have a goal of a certain number of political activities or hours per week. If I feel like doing more, ok, but I don't push myself over the line. I take time for exercise, spiritual practice and my family. Ironically, I also limit my time on DU and the other blogs. They get me too anxious and worked up. I have decided that this is a marathon, not a sprint, yanno? I need to stay in shape for the long haul. If I kept going the way I was going, I would have had to stop. The anger and exhaustion was becoming too painful.

I also signed up for some after election activities so I would have something to look forward to, win or lose. I start tutoring a child in reading at my daughter's school next week, and I signed up for an intensive yoga workshop in February.

Take car of yourself, Alfredo. Thanks for all you do.

[alfredo]

2. You have other responsibilities to keep you busy. I am

retired so I have plenty time.

After the election I will still be active in DFA and will work to build an Amnesty International chapter in Lexington.

You are right about keeping yourself active beyond the political sphere.

[MH1]

3. It was worth it though, wasn't it?

:toast:

Thank you for your hard work!