Yesterday was one of those mile-long-list days. You know, the days where your to-do list seems impossible to fit into 24 hours, let alone the mere 18 or so I’m actually awake. Well, yesterday was one of those days.
And because the kids are still on summer break, they got dragged along with me. At the start of the day, my list looked something like this:
- Meet with client to close out project and get paid!
- Pick up weekly crop-share at farm
- Pick up x-ray from dentist to take to orthodontist
- Drop off certified letter at post office
- Pick up new contact lens from eye doctor
- Make deposit at bank
- Make withdrawal at bank to pay last week’s pet sitter
- Take 11-year-old to Claire’s to spend birthday gift card (that is burning a hole in her pocket)
- Drop off overdue library books
- Take 11-year-old to orthodontist appointment
- Coach soccer practice
Somewhere in the middle of that list, I got a phone call from a client. “Were you just at the eye doctor’s office?” he asked.
“Yes,” I responded, somewhat distracted, “did I pass you in the parking lot?”
“No,” he countered, somewhat shocked, “I was sitting two chairs away from you in the waiting area, waving to get your attention, but you never responded.”
Ummm. Really? Yes, really.
If this were the first time this had happened, I could easily chock it up to a busy day. But unfortunately, it’s not. Twice in the past few weeks, my sister has called me on my cell to say she just passed me on the road between our houses (which is a small, two-lane road through a housing community). Each time she waved at me, and each time I didn’t respond.
Wow. Am I that out-of-it? Am I that focused on what’s going to happen next, that I miss what is happening now? I once read that all too often we “go through the day rather than getting something from the day. We are everywhere at any given moment in time except living in that moment in time.”
I think this is a form of worry, which is ultimately a sinful part of my nature. I mean, it’s one thing to be a planner (everyone knows I am definitely a planner), but it’s another to let your plans for tomorrow take away from your living of today. Haven’t we been warned against borrowing trouble from another day? (Yup.)
I’m not advocating carelessness or recklessness, but rather living responsibly within the moments we are given, so as not to squander them with worries about the future or any other meaningless drivel we all-to-often fill our moments with.
I clearly missed out on an opportunity to talk with my client during the ten minutes we sat near each other in that waiting room. What else did I miss during that time? My kids were with me… but was I really paying attention to them? I’m ashamed to say I was focused almost entirely on my to-do list, and how much I would be able to squeeze into the afternoon.
Those items will eventually get checked off my list, whether or not I obsess over them, so I might as well use the waiting time (of which there was plenty that day) to soak up my surroundings… especially my family and those around me right now. After all, this is where God has me right now. I need to stay focused on His plans for today, or I might miss something big. 🙂
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Caroline says
Great post. I can totally identify with being both a planner and a worrier (though, of course, I don’t want to take a part in worry).
I have thought a lot, too, of being sure to live intentionally and purposefully. To view this blessed time as something to enjoy and learn from now, not just to plan what I might learn tomorrow.
Glad you brought attention to this!
(in)courage – me | Wendy Willard says
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Robin ~ PENSIEVE says
I never considered preoccupation with what I needed to get done as a form of worry. Hmmm, you’ve given me something to think about. I AM acquainted with being so focused on my task at hand that I’m oblivious to what’s going on around me, so this serves as a gentle reminder to be aware…especially of the people who might need my eyes, ears…and heart!
I Live in an Antbed says
We were just listening to Rob Bell’s Everything is Spiritual again and I love one of his points about us learning to be “human beings not human doings.” He encouraged us to “be all here” in this moment because that is all we truly have and that is where He is. Love it! Great post!
Kat says
I SO needed to read that today! I’ve been feeling stressed and worried, and even though I coach my yoga students to focus on NOW, I haven’t practicing that myself.
Thank you!
Holley Gerth says
Oh, Wendy, I am a fellow worrier. I’ve had people tell me the exact same thing about waving and me not responding. Thanks for the reminder that attention is affection in so many ways. I’m so glad we can rest in His grace–it just takes a lot of practice, huh? 🙂
Jamie @ Inspired Mess says
Oh, wow, did I need to read this today! Thank you so much. That’s all I can say right now. Thank you.
Grace {Hope} says
Thank you x 100..
i am not a planner,
or a detail person..
but i make lists when my brain is so overloaded i cant function properly!
then i turn into some half crazed zombie, staring into space, bumping into things, doing things too fast and spilling them..
like you very correctly said, these things will get done whether i stress over them or not..
the now is now and you dont get now back! you are right my dear.
I remember a ever-so-hippy-friend of mine in university telling me to stop and look at the trees while im waiting at the bus-stop, to actually see the beauty and not worry if the bus is late or about my lecture or about my late assignment..
I felt very un-spiritual and thought she was ever so wise!
🙂
I appreciate your post because it is something God has been telling me lots and with gentle reminders somewhere along the line i will actually live it out and pratice it well.
Here’s to hoping..
love Grace