I once was the poster child for routines and “to do” lists. The rush I got each time I crossed off something on the list was intoxicating. This focusing on details gave me a momentary sense of control and power.
But then there were those days when the “to do” list was left unfinished because I had either overextended myself or my day was rudely interrupted. Having not received my daily fix of control and power. I drifted off to sleep listening to the haunting melody of shame and disappointment.
Like so many I had drunk the Kool-Aid. Believing the messages that if you do this, buy this, become this kind of person you can have a great life. One filled with love, power and recognition. Although I was living the American Dream, dissatisfaction, unhappiness and the nagging feeling there was more to life than the daily grind were my daily companions.
Thankfully, I stopped focusing on me. Instead, focusing on Jesus and building His Kingdom. In the process, my vision of a life of significance totally changed.
I no longer make daily, monthly, yearly “to do” lists. I identify the “one thing” I must accomplish each day. Any other accomplishments are icing on the cake. By the way, I sleep like a baby at night. No more melancholy lullabies.
I say no more than I say yes. Protecting my daily “empty time” is paramount to my spiritual and physical being and my happiness.
When “hell” is breaking loose around me. I ask myself. In one year will this matter? Most of the time my answer is no. For those times it isn’t no. I ask the Lord to teach me what I need to learn in order to travel to the next “life crossroad”.
This journey to becoming who I was created to be is challenging at times, but it’s also one I will never regret beginning because today:
- I see the forest, not the trees.
- I don’t sweat the small stuff.
- I stop to smell the roses.
- I want to be the best version of me.
My focus was radically adjusted that Sunday almost fourteen years ago when I decided to make my daily “to do” list a daily “to be” list.
Thanks for listening to my voice! Feel free to like and share it with your friends.
Have a great day! Rita
Be the VOICE heard amidst the deafening sound of sameness!
letsloveothers 
Being suspected as having ADHD, lists have never worked for me. I, too, have learned what it means to be a Mary and not a Martha. Phew!
🙂
Didn’t you find that once you had an encounter with Jesus. Everything you thought was important wasn’t, and the Martha personality gradually disappeared. I think that’s why I love worship and talking with Him throughout my day. Who would want to do anything else but gaze upon His face? Have a wonderful day Stacilys!
It didn’t disappear easily though, that’s for sure. The push of the expectations of others, society, culture. It was only after He spoke some very specific words to me that I was able to see that all that was required of me was to do what He had called me to.
Blessings Rita.
🙂