To Do!
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NOTE: This post did not go out as scheduled so I’m sending again. If you receive a duplicate, I apologize.
I’m looking at my current ‘to do’ list on my desk. It’s one of thousands I’ve created over my lifetime. There are fourteen items all in a vertical row and but only four left to tick off–hopefully by the end of the week. That’s the plan anyway.
The holidays are approaching and I want my mind and my desk cleared of chores before they arrive.
I LOVE crossing off the items as I complete them. Sometimes I even add one that I’ve finished but forgot to include–just so I can feel good when my pen slides across the words! This is going a bit far, I admit, but I just can’t help myself.
One ‘to do’ list I will never abandon is the one in my mind and on my heart that reminds me to ‘start the day’ with Scripture, a devotional, prayer for family and friends, and a few good quotes to get me going.
Here are three that might inspire you as they have inspired me.
“God is more intimate to me than I am to myself.” Augustine
“Between God and the soul there is no distance.” Meister Eckhart
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” Carl Jung
And finally one of my favorite Bible verses that is the foundation of all my lists. Unless I start the day by trusting the Lord, nothing else matters.
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord…They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the life giving water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves always stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7
Tell us about your ‘to do’ lists or how you keep track of your life. We can learn from each other!
I rarely make lists, but when I do it is always a great feeling to complete the tasks. With the holidays ahead of us I will be making lists for sure.
Your quotation from Jeremiah reminds me of one of the first Psalms I memorized as a child.
Psalm 1
1
“Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”
Thanks, Etta Mae. I love this psalm too. It’s so uplifting and full of encouragement.
I love that Saint Augustine quote.
I could not survive without my to do lists. I have long term lists, short term lists, house project lists, work lists, shopping lists, and my continuously updated “This week” list. I even throw to do lists at my kids occasionally. Maybe I need some counseling, lol!
Ah, another ‘lister.’ Thanks Columba. These days, I am keeping more of my lists on my iphone so they are always with me.
Dear Sweet Karen,
When I was younger I had a “to do” list and kept up with it pretty well-I did not write it down as my list was usually for just one or two days of things that I had to do. When I read some of my “years ago journals” I am amazed at what I could and did do in a days time and I told Tanya I cannot believe I did so much in one day and she made me laugh when she said “MOM, you were a whiz kid” ! Now that I am 44 for the second time, I find I make a list of things to do the next day and before I know it the day is gone and I have procrastinated all day and accomplished very little. Ha!
YOU, my Dear, have so many responsibilities I do not know how you keep up with them! I really do admire you and how much you seem to accomplish!! You are an inspiration to me and MANY OTHERS !!
One verse of scripture that I really like is: “Be still and know that I am God” ! I am at the age now that I can “be still” for a long time!!!
Love you much and I guess I do not have any real inspirational words for you this time but just keep on “keeping on” as long as you can. I am blest that I could “keep on” for a long, long time and I know God is not finished with me yet!
Margaret
Thank you, Margaret, for your encouragement. Actually, my life is pretty simple right now and I’m loving it. I consider myself semi-retired and it feels good. 🙂
Dear Karen,
Thank you for the inspirational quotes. They are like the cool mountain spring water into my thirsty dry mouth to nourish my body and spirit. I’m cutting-pasting-and-printing them out as my daily spiritual nutrients. Thanks!!
As for the to-do lists, I do it mostly in my head at this stage of my life since it’s a straightforward task: I use most of my waking hours writing my memoir, brainstorming/researching/putting into order years of worth of my journals while I was teaching for my next book on school and education in America and China, and, also editing my 400-page Mental Math for Kids.
I draw strength from my daily prayer to Jesus and reading my Bible. Thank you so very much for providing me with the rich source. May God bless you richly in every aspect of your life. Jing
Thank you, Jing. I am always happy to hear what you are doing and how you are managing your life. I’m grateful the quotes are a blessing to you.
“To Do Lists” are my friends! I love and hate them. (Well not hate exactly. That’s a little extreme. But, I do get slightly irritated with them at times.)
Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone Karen!
Sample List:
>Read Karen’s Blog Post
>Ponder What She Shared
>Post Comment
>File Under “Karen O’Connor”
>Get Back to Today’s “Things To Do” List
Check, Check, Check, Check, & Check.
Smiles, BRC
Beth, your post cracks me up. Thanks for adding a smile to my day!
You’re Welcome Karen!
Check!
Smiles, BRC