The Wonder of To Do Lists and Sunday Afternoons

Daniel on a lazy Sunday afternoon...

Speaking of Sundays... Does anyone else feel like Sunday afternoons last twice as long as normal days? At 17 I first noticed this strange phenomenon, but found it annoying and boring since I wanted Monday to arrive with school, friends and fun. 

But now? Now I anticipate Sunday afternoons because, finally, after a week of days which zoom past, I'll have 'extra' time with Tom, and extra time to think, appreciate Life and just, well, be without having that 'sands of Time flowing through my fingers' feeling.

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Anyway...

Weeks ago I bought a tiny, sad-looking succulent plant for half-price at our supermarket and now see what a fun-looking plant it's become:

Always reminds me of the 1960's 'flower power' stuff you saw everywhere back then. Always makes me smile, too.

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Last month I returned to making To Do Lists on Mondays (being a first-born, I've created many a list in my day) and oh! I highly recommend those old-fashioned things especially if, as you've gotten older, your short-term memory has become more like no-term memory. Heh. 

Some folks find these lists stressful, but not me. Once something gets scribbled upon mine, I can stop telling my brain 37 times, "Don't forget to clean/fix/paint the ________! " (or whatever the case may be).

Oh, and I always keep my list in just one place (on the kitchen counter) so that it won't become lost, nor will I forget to look at it there. 

And you know? The To Do Lists weave a bit of magic, the good, fairies-everywhere kind around Hobbit Cottage, surprising me with feelings of getting ahead. That is, they're magic only while I keep the lists positive, viewing them as kind reminders for my forgetfulness, not nagging slave masters. 

Nor kicking myself for tasks left undone--but rather--celebrating those crossed off and smiling because next week Grace will help me complete even more. 

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Why defend To Do Lists? Some people view them like New Year's Resolutions, seeing them only as negative things setting us all up to fail. I, personally, see them as a discipline, a map, of sorts, leading to some surprising places of accomplishment.

 

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“Rename your “To-Do” list to your “Opportunities” list. Each day is a treasure chest filled with limitless opportunities; take joy in checking many off your list.” 

― Steve Maraboli

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."   ... Romans 8:1,2