Friday, February 06, 2009

Grabbing the Ring


Do you find yourself going in too many directions?
Are you unfocused and can't decide what to do?


I have this to-do list rolling around in my head. Finish my course, study, clean the house for company, write my book, submit some articles, apply for a job. . . Figuring out which one to give priority to is always the challenge.


I remember as a young mother how I worked full time, raised a daughter, kept my house pretty decent , cooked some homemade meals, had a full social life with friends and served at church! Now if I accomplish one of two things a day--I think I'm doing great.


What's different? What happened? (yes--I know age plays a factor)


Here's what I think--it's all about attitude. I limit what I can do by my own attitude.


I'd like to change my attitude beginning today. I'd like to pack more life into my day and rise with a "can do" attitude rather than "there's always tomorrow." I'd like to be able to look back at the end of the week and know I used every moment the best way I could.


Are you packing life into your days or waiting for the life to happen to you?


18 comments:

Kathleen said...

Powerful thoughts. If ever we get that disciplined/focus thing down we'd make millions! (Well ... we'd have more peace anyway).

Some days I have no difficulty being intentional. Other days - - not so much. I know I sleep better with the former, and fuss with the latter.

Boy do I need my Savior!

Kathleen

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

How I can relate! I'm working on the same project...trying to enjoy every second of every blessing, be thankful and to make each second count. I find that part of doing this requires giving up stuff, giving other stuff over to God and filling my life with the stuff that matters.

LisaShaw said...

I thought it was my age (smile)!!

No, truthfully your message is dead on! When I rise with a list of necessities but with GOD first as priority and then address the day as living not exisiting then much more gets done.

Also, long ago I replaced the word 'busy' with productive. It made a difference. I'm fruitful (productive) far more than I'm busy!

Love ya Terri!

Kathryn Magendie said...

I am disciplined and focused when I have to be, as I am now with the edits...but sometimes I'm slow getting there unless I have a deadline or make one!

(Did I ask for your address? I thought sure I did - but, if you just didn't feel comfortable giving it, I sure do understand! or did you send it and I accidentally deleted it? or did you send it and I've already sent you an envelope and I'm going nuts?)

Jenni James said...

LOl! I think I'm still in the first--raising your kids and trying to do everything else stage! LOL! I'm still looking forward to the day when it can all slow down, of course by then I'm sure I'll be wishing I could get half the stuff done I do today. It's kids. I think they drive you to do more than you think you can.

Janna Leadbetter said...

So true! I find that when I struggle to balance or find the "right" direction, it's because I've fallen into the trap of the wrong attitude again.

Thanks for the pick-me-up! Hope all is well for you, Terri.

Vickie said...

I am so in that stage right now. I have this mental list of what I want to do each day, which piece I want to work on etc. but then there's the issue of which one should I work on first, or should I start this new things that's been rolling around in my head for a while?

I sometimes end up just doing a bit here and a bit there and I too feel like I have done a lot but then I am not really seeing it. So...... I guess it's focus and discipline.

Anyway your thoughts are dead on. Seems like many of us struggle with the same things.

Vickie

Angie Ledbetter said...

Super busy people get more done in a day because they're used to running full blast ahead and making do with the little cracks of time to accomplish "have to" items, IMHO.

Mary L. Briggs said...

Great post~! I feel like that a lot of the time. Today, I was up early, made a batch of bread, got several pages of writing done, and finished arranging some shelves. But most days, I tend to drag on projects. For me, getting started EARLY is the key!

Renee Collins said...

Sheesh, sometimes my days are a little too packed! I think I very well might have my fingers in too many pies. But, I love it. And there are slower days. Don't know what I would do without those.

Melissa Amateis said...

I've learned more discipline lately - maybe it's not having a television that has helped, or maybe it's focusing more on the writing. But there are many, many days when I just want to sleep in and do absolutely nothing. And there are days that I do just that.

Stonefox said...

Terri, this is where I seem to live. Unfortunatly, my attitude DOES need some improvement. Attitude and discipline seem to be my challenges!

Carol said...

There's too much getting stuffed into my days, and it wears me down. Sometimes I have to just stop and pray about it all, and let God take over the worrying while I take a nap.

LauraLee Shaw said...

Yes, I have this disease too!!!! And the same goal. Beautifully expressed, dear one.

Jenna said...

"I'd like to change my attitude beginning today. I'd like to pack more life into my day and rise with a "can do" attitude rather than "there's always tomorrow." I'd like to be able to look back at the end of the week and know I used every moment the best way I could."

Great motto and one I definitely need to tack up on my wall RIGHT NOW :)!

Anonymous said...

My son had an idea that if he was president he would add 24 more hours to the day. I almost screamed!!! I do not want more hours because then I would have more to do. I think for me it is not about prioritizing but attempting those projects I love first. Sometimes not such a good idea, because then the ones I dread get shoved to the side, sometimes for a few days. I find having a deadline helps in finishing any project.

Yolanda said...

Terri,

I pray that you have an extraordinary week and that each morning when you and I arise, in our own little worlds, and in our own little beds, the first thought on our minds will be....Lord, what do You have in store for me today?

Lovingly,
Yolanda

Jessica Nelson said...

Good question. Let's see, I set a certain schedule and then the rest of the time I drift along...
LOL
I hear you on the different directions. I'm torn with my manuscripts right now. Can't decide whether to write, revise or submit. LOL