A friend of mine always looks great. She pays attention to the details, co-ordinating clothing, jewellery, shoes etc. It takes time and effort. It’s important to her. We are very different in that regard. The other morning I began rushing about to get some things done. My mind was unfocused and a-flutter with a myriad of thoughts. Suddenly, in the middle of making a meal, I found myself lacking a few ingredients and I needed to run down to THE store. I say THE store because we only have one grocery store in our small town. Just like we have THE gas station, THE school, THE post office, well, you get the idea. Before I left my husband called and asked if I could stop by his wood working shop on my way as he needed help to do some measuring. I grabbed my car keys from the bowl, opened the back door and shut it again. Looking down at my oil and flour-stained shirt I decided I had better change before I left. While changing my shirt I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realized I had forgotten to brush my hair during my rushed morning routine. It looked like ‘straws in a muck cart.’ I stopped and brushed my hair. It’s not like this happens all the time but since I had to write this blog post with ten goals for the next three to four months, I decided remembering to brush my hair every morning would start things off as number one. Only nine to go.
This post should be a piece of cake for list makers like me. I love writing down lists of things I need to do and then stroking items off the list as they get completed. Sometimes though, the to-do list becomes long and unmanageable. It grows like a noxious weed and turns unrealistic and overwhelming to the point where I don’t know where to start or I start 3 things at once and don’t finish even one. When a person is able to complete tasks, it yields a feeling of accomplishment which leads to completion of other projects. Goal number 2 is to give myself realistic goals which can be accomplished and to prioritize what needs to be done and when. This won’t shorten the list but it will put the chaos under control and make the jobs easier to achieve.
Goal number 3 – eat less, exercise more. Enough said.
As a writer who wants to inspire and give hope, I would like to submit a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul. Their publications are filled with stories that touch people’s hearts and give them the encouragement I too would like to give. In addition, I need to post more often on my own blog page and learn all the ins and outs or change my platform. Writing for the InScribe blog will remain a priority in my word weaving world, and I would also like to begin a major project before the end of the year. Combined, these objectives comprise goal number 4.
Wednesday I will travel to our neighbouring province, Manitoba, to attend Fall Conference. There I will immerse myself in the knowledge and faith of other writers, gleaning all I can and not sitting there like a lump. When it comes to events like these, I believe you get much more out of them if you choose to be a willing sponge. Halfway there! Number 5.
Down at THE post office there are a few hundred boxes, each one with its own little key. One thing that can brighten any day is to approach your own little box, put the key in the lock, pull back the tiny door and find an actual letter inside! But if you really want to get an actual, handwritten bonafide letter, sometimes you have to write one. Goal 6 is to be increase writing letters and to make intentional connections with family and friends across the miles. This includes phone calls too. For some reason the advent of cell phones has me calling people less. I miss my landline and the landlines of others. You could call a household and be surprised by talking to 3 or 4 loved ones. Those were good surprises.
Fall brings me back to indoor activities, one of which is quilting. We have a group that meets once a month in the basement of a local business. It’s important to me for both the creativity and the social outing. I am not the most social creature so I need to force myself to go and be with other people. It’s a healthy thing to do. As a person who dislikes sewing to the point where I gave my machine away, I am delightfully surprised that I like quilting. Seriously. When I told one of my sons that I was taking up quilting there was a long pause and then he said, “You know that involves sewing, right?” Goal number 7 will find me in that basement on the first Saturday of each month and Sunday afternoon as well.
This November will mark 2 years since we moved to town. It is time to paint. The interior of our house is a medium to dark gray and I need to brighten it up. Though it was the choice of the former owner and popular at the time, I find it depressing and dark, especially after the bright sunny exposures in the farmhouse. We need to change the lighting in the kitchen and cut off the breakfast nook from the wonderful island too. These will be the first renos since we moved. We wanted to think about what we would change before we began. It’s time to begin. Number 8
Palliative Care is one thing that I care about deeply, not wanting anyone to die alone. A few of us have started the process to create a Community Care Volunteer group in order to support things like Palliative Care in our little town and surrounding area. During this journey I have learned it’s important to celebrate the small things. A sunrise, a bird’s song, the smell of newly cut hay, a child’s handful of dandelions. The noise of the kids in the park near our backyard and the laughter that drifts to our deck as we sit in chairs and bask in the evening glow. Take nothing for granted. Number 9
The number ten is a significant number Biblically. Ten commandments, ten plagues, ten generations from Adam to Noah and again from Noah to Abraham. It is said to represent divine order and completeness. It points to humanity’s accountability to God. If I am serious about the goals above, I need to gather them up in my arms then let them tumble to the foot of the cross under the authority of the Risen Christ. He may honour the goals I have written or He may change them as He wills and for His purposes. Oh, that I may surrender each and every one to Him. Yes, even brushing my hair. Goal 10. To God be the glory.
Thanks for taking the time to visit today. God bless.
Sharon Heagy writes from the wonderful town of Rockglen, Saskatchewan, where she lives with her husband, a big dog and furry cats. She writes to bring hope and humour to a world that needs both. She can be reached at sharonheagy@gmail.com
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