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Priorities (The Doing & Thinking)


I love making lists and going after my calendar with colored sharpies is a blast.  Red for church, yellow for work, blue for home & family etc.  My goals are listed by priority and the ever present A,B,C system on my to do list.

So why do I still get overdone, overloaded and spread thin?

My new friend Denny at my temporary job and I had a conversation about priorities today.  He has recently retired and I'm absorbing all the wisdom I can.  As we talked he said frequently, "Priorities, priorities, priorities" to which I completely agreed.

During a quiet lunch break (such a new concept) I reflected on the conversation.  Do I have my priorities straight?  What am I supposed to be hearing through this.  I prioritize on paper but it is my heart and my brain that gets me in trouble.

I try to have some boundaries around my time but my mind runs unhindered and I think about what I shouldn't.  No....I'm not thinking bad things.

I'm spending time and energy on things that are not my priorities.

A strength of mine is seeing things that could be done differently and sensing people's needs.  It is also a challenge.  Saying no is not as big of an issue for me.   Volunteering or bringing up something that could be changed or mulling over ideas is the issue.

In addition, a belief for me is that if something needs done...then do it.  It is frustrating beyond measure to me to watch people walk by a person needing help.  Or walk by a full trash can or something on the floor.  My biggest beef is when people wait to be told to do something.

And yet...my brain keeps me from having the energy and focus for those true priorities in my life.

God, help me walk that edge without falling over the cliff.  Keep me sensitive to others' needs and things that need done that I can do.  Guard my mind from all of the useless prattle and noise that just takes up space and waste energy.  Help do what I can do and let go of the rest!

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