This got me to thinking about how that cute red suit can be a metaphor for our lives. It really was a great little outfit, warm and snuggly against the evening chill. While it fit the baby last winter, it curtailed his greater activity in the summer. He was just learning to crawl, but not in that suit! No wonder he was irritable.

How often have we found ourselves cranky because the life we're living is too confining. Here we are, just about to develop a new skill (like crawling) and the role we've chosen to play won't let us grow.

For example, some people choose to stay in a worker bee job rather than take on the added responsibility of a management position. By staying in the confining position, they inhibit their growth by stifling the possibility of developing new skills.

Another example would be someone who creates a life of doing, doing, doing. They are so busy as a human doing, they miss being human being. They race. Racing here and there, hassled and frazzled, but at the end of the day, they have little of value to show for all their work.

I've created that tight little suit for myself occasionally when I take on projects that require a lot of activity by provide little reward on the personal level. After a frenetic day, my house might be orderly, the dinner is on the stove, the reports are written, the email answered, and yet I don't feel rewarded, I just feel tired and let down.

There's some satisfaction from ticking off all those things from the To Do list, but when I haven't been doing those activities as part of my life purpose, it doesn't really nourish me.

It's important to take time periodically to reflect on your values and check their alignment with the goals you've set. Be sure that the activities that fill your time are truly on the path you have chosen consciously.