There’s a list of things I want to do. There’s a bigger list of things I need to do. And then there’s the few things I know to do. You know the list, and if yours is like mine, they are listed on 3 different yellow note pads. It’s a list about 2 feet long and could fit on that butcher paper that nicely rolls off a wooden spool from IKEA.
To Do: Groceries, laundry, school photos, write, run, Pilates, bills, get to mass and adoration, start Christmas shopping, take photos, got to confession, bake cupcakes for soccer, call a sitter, vet, flu shots, repairman, clean car, oil change etc….. and it goes on and on…
I’m not supporting this form of organization or lack thereof and it’s something I’m working on, but that’s not the point of this post. Getting a new planner for that today.
It’s just that with at all of these to do’s, where and when do I get to the part where I slow down and do what’s most important & I know to do and start being as a child, simplifying, creating and being thankful? Where does this first things wise concept fit? And how do I do it? No time for that one or so I thought… until this week.
This week I said the dreaded “No” to just one or 2 things that were peering into our schedule that weren’t neccesary. And I chose to design my day a little more, instead of letting business define me. And it was the things that I choose to seek first that made the difference. I chose to get outside and walk with a friend and to have a hot cup of tea for some adrenal reviving. I made it to an hour of Adoration before the blessed sacrament, & I chose to pause time & notice the little things that are so charming about each of my children. (By the way I wrote 3 more songs to them in the early morning and while driving in the car. So now there’s EVA COSETFE, COLE AT MY POCKET, MIRIAM, & She’s MY ANNA MEREDITH. )
You can Listen below.
I found that by slowing down to commemorate them in amateur song that I started to get giddy like a child over the story of their lives/ my life so far, and with authenticity showed my thanksgiving for them by using the gift of words and melody to say, “I love you.” I sought first the kingdom God has given me here on earth, and then these other things were added, above all renewed energy and joy to create and be who I was made to be a little more.
And the things on that list that needed to get done did get done with a new humble, grateful attitude and a bit more speedily. And the things that got pushed to this next week will get done too.
But first things first. Seek the eternal and give thanks first by using your gift, whatever it might be. Mine is words and creating beauty. Yours may be helping or cooking or calling or building, or painting or praying. You know what you have to give.
And then stop to also be thanked for and loved back. After sharing these songs with my 4 year old, she said,”Now what about your song? You need a song too.” I told her that someone else has to write my song. Then I realized…my eternal song has been written to the tune of this rich life: the harmony is with a cute guy I met in college and got to marry & who knows me best, 4 beautiful upbeat children, and the full measure to hold it all. This story so far is my song.
I’ll have to play it too on the Ukulele and put words and a melody to all that next week because I am adored and loved too apart from my to do list and business. My worth happens to be in my Maker, not in all I do or do not make happen.
Thank God!
Light Strung Studio 