When To Say When
Today I am grateful for the words that form in my mind and heart. I am also grateful for family time.
I try to live life one day at a time, not lamenting the mistakes and disappointments of yesterday, not dreading the fears and concerns of tomorrow. I believe I have made progress in this area, though I am a slow learner. I do spend more time present and mindful than I used to. Gratitude practice helps. Pausing helps, even if for a few seconds.
Progress in being present. I can feel good about that. But . . . staying in today can backfire when I try to pack too much into one day. I need to know when to say when. Pause. Replenish. Stop. Listen.
In my own words: "If your to-do list is longer than your gratitude list, consider a rewrite."
I am a hard worker, task-oriented, always with more to do than the time in a day allows. One of my most important lessons has become knowing "when to say when." When it is time to take a break. When it is time to cut myself some slack and give myself credit for my "done" list instead of fretting over what is left to do. When it is simply time to be done for the day and just sit in grateful mindfulness.
I am also learning to prioritize. If there is never enough time in the day for all I want to do, I need to start with a short list of priorities for this day and see what I get done. Many of the things I think I "need" to get done really can wait. Lighten up Lisa!
Gratitude practice also helps me prioritize. It shows me what is most important in my life on a daily basis: recovery, faith, family, friends, health, running, writing, a meaningful job.
Today I will practice knowing when to say when.
I try to live life one day at a time, not lamenting the mistakes and disappointments of yesterday, not dreading the fears and concerns of tomorrow. I believe I have made progress in this area, though I am a slow learner. I do spend more time present and mindful than I used to. Gratitude practice helps. Pausing helps, even if for a few seconds.
Progress in being present. I can feel good about that. But . . . staying in today can backfire when I try to pack too much into one day. I need to know when to say when. Pause. Replenish. Stop. Listen.
In my own words: "If your to-do list is longer than your gratitude list, consider a rewrite."
I am a hard worker, task-oriented, always with more to do than the time in a day allows. One of my most important lessons has become knowing "when to say when." When it is time to take a break. When it is time to cut myself some slack and give myself credit for my "done" list instead of fretting over what is left to do. When it is simply time to be done for the day and just sit in grateful mindfulness.
I am also learning to prioritize. If there is never enough time in the day for all I want to do, I need to start with a short list of priorities for this day and see what I get done. Many of the things I think I "need" to get done really can wait. Lighten up Lisa!
Gratitude practice also helps me prioritize. It shows me what is most important in my life on a daily basis: recovery, faith, family, friends, health, running, writing, a meaningful job.
Today I will practice knowing when to say when.
Hi Lisa, Prioritizing is a skill I'm working on too. I suppose we all are, or most of us anyway. Practicing prioritizing. That's a mouthful isn't it? Thanks for your daily pieces of wisdom.
ReplyDeletePatiently practicing prioritizing. That's a real mouthful! But so important to a balanced and healthy life. Thanks for reading and commenting Nancy. I do appreciate it!
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