Living by Lists
It occurred to me last night that I am living by lists; grocery lists, errand lists, a bucket list. Good grief, I start on New Year’s Eve and lay out a plan for the upcoming year, God willing I live through it. I even have categories. I even keep a list of the books I read and from what category – fiction, non-fiction.
This all started when someone talked about having “a program”. It wasn’t necessary to adhere to it exactly, but to have it in order to save myself from hurry and indecision. You see, there was a time in my life when I didn’t have lists. I just jumped from one thing to another like a grasshopper. “Let’s try this! Oh, let’s try that! Oh, what’s that over there? Looks interesting!”
It was fun, but made everyone around me dizzy.
Then I started wondering if this modus operandi had put me in handcuffs.
Do you ever feel guilty when you don’t complete your “to do” list? I do. Somehow, writing “to do” items on a piece of paper makes it more difficult to give myself some wiggle room. It’s there in black and white. I have to complete those five, six, seven, however many items, or I haven’t done my work for the day. Or (gasp!) I add the unfinished items to the next day’s list.
I needed to do a little editing. I scratched out “To Do,” and wrote “Possibilities.”
- francine's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Monthly Archive
- March 2010 (8)
- April 2010 (9)
- May 2010 (5)
- June 2010 (5)
- July 2010 (4)
- August 2010 (3)
- September 2010 (4)
- October 2010 (4)
- November 2010 (3)
- December 2010 (4)
- January 2011 (4)
- February 2011 (2)
- March 2011 (3)
- April 2011 (2)
- May 2011 (3)
- June 2011 (4)
- July 2011 (4)
- August 2011 (5)
- September 2011 (4)
- October 2011 (8)
- November 2011 (3)
- December 2011 (4)
- January 2012 (3)
- February 2012 (1)
Francine Rivers on Facebook
15 Comments to "Living by Lists"
I like that! Possibilities!! I might have to try that!
I love this! My bible study group was talking about this very topic tonight. We all have a different plan for how we complete tasks in our worlds. I love the "List of Possibilities" idea. Have to share this with my group. Thanks so much!!
It's funny how we can go from being a grasshopper (or in my case, a butterfly) to an ant. Interestingly enough, they probably don't concern themselves with trying to be any different that what they are. However, it's wonderful when we can step back and notice any places where our practices are hindering grace. Thank you for your example of humility.
"Possibilities"....what a lovely, guilt-freeing word! I might make a list again. :)
I love this post, Francine! I have recently revived my list making in an effort to balance what I do with my time. It is much easier at this stage of life (50 plus) to just redate the list or throw it away if things don't get done. I like the "possibilities" heading--that works!
Funny you should mention this at this time as I am in the process of typing up my reading list, also in categories of fiction and non-fiction.
I also have a blog called "Bloglist" where I tried categorizing my lists, some of which are finding themselves in the "erase" category!
A good friend once told me to pray over my "to-do" list each day. To ask God to give me discernment about what I should & shouldn't do each day....what things are His work, & what things, many uneccesary, that are my selfish "wants" & not needs. I try to look at my "to-do" list from a heavenly, eternal perspective now. It's amazing the things you can cross off your list when you look at it from that point of view!!
that is so true!! I'm experiencing the same thing! Though, sometimes not completing my "to do list" I leave things undone for weeks!
Oh...I like the possibilities list! I too feel guilty if I don't finish my everyday To Do list. I do think that we should put something just fun on the list everyday. Some days I just chunk it all! ha. Thank you for your blog and most of all thank you for your books. They have had a profound enfluence on me and so many others. The Mark of the Lion series is so close to my heart. It spurs people on to read "the Word" and to long to have a prayer life like sweet Hadassah had. I appreciate so much how God has used you and is using you through your writing. Thank you, thank you!
Blessings! Amy
www.walkman4.blogspot.com
I too am a list person...and honestly, I love them! However, I love the idea of labeling the list Possibilities, its such a positive term!
When I was younger and my kids were all small, I would make out my "To Do" List, but #1 on the list would always be "Make List". That way, even if nothing else got done, I could always scratch out #1.
Love your books, Linda
Wow, I like that,"possiblities", I think I will try that.
I absolutely understand. If I accomplish something and haven't written it on my list I will go ahead and write it after the fact just so I can cross it off! Meanwhile I also have to move some to do's to the next day. These lists are funny but do help keep the brain organized.
My sister-in-law is the most list-oriented person I know. I can't wait to share your "possibilities" title with her. I love your writin and always look forward to your next book release.
This is great. I also live by lists, even with the books... :) And I do feel very guilty when I don't complete my "to do" list...
But I like a lot the idea of scratching out "to do" and write "possibilities"
Thank you for taking time to write on the blog. God bless you!
As long as we put creativity time and 'musing' time, coffee time and couch time on our lists... We live in such a "to do" society, only feeling worthy when we can tick off what we've done. The list is a neccessity, but it can trap us into function and we are more than our function. LOVE your books, I've read some three times over. Warmest blessings! Tania Ahlfeldt, South Africa