I have a book in limbo. it needs one or two small adjustments and it can go to the publisher. It has needed those one or two small adjustments for several weeks now and I dither over them. It's not a big job and yet I linger in Lala Land. No one else is going to do the small stuff if I want the book published. I have to send it to the publisher and yet I linger. Is that you? Is today's life kind of sticking you to the page of unfinished.
My neighbour, a hoarder, just moved and threw out tons of unfinished projects. There were probably 15 quilts all cut out, labelled, and ready to put together, yet nothing was sewn. There were probably 15 bags of yarn purchased with a fine thought of beautiful socks, sweaters, and hats for the family. All not done. Oh, she started all right. Things were cut out and the cuff of a sweater was done and on its needles, but nothing was finished.
So, what are we if we don't finish? What happens in our whole life if we never finish things. What if we decide to stop raising our children when they reach the awkward 12-year-old stage? What if we handed off that responsibility? Or what if we were making a casserole and decided to leave out the meat or the cheese or the vegetables? Unfinished is more than unfinished.
Unfinished can be a lifestyle that drains us into nothingness, and when our end comes, all the unfinished projects will be thrown out because nobody else knows how to finish them except us. I could linger over this article, but the point is that I really have a book to send to my publisher. I have a few small things to deal with and I've decided to do them now.
My question for you is: How is your September going? True, some people make January their New Year's Resolution time. But we have a chance to change halfway or three-quarters of the way through the year. So, I am publishing my book, called Words for the Spiritually Disenchanted. Will we be disenchanted when we get to the end of our time and think of all the projects that we never finished? That last piece of trim where we ran out of paint, the letter to Aunt Bessie that we never sent, or the dinner we ate a bite or two of and left to rot on the table.
My friend, how is your September going? Mine is about to pick up right this minute.
Brenda J Wood -
Author, speaker and Hopestreamradio.com contributor, Brenda J Wood has been an author and motivational speaker for more years than she cares to admit. She is known for her common sense wisdom, sense of humour and quirky comments. She calls herself the ‘ABC girl’ because she’s survived and written about the ‘ABC’s of abuse, bulimia, cancer, death, entertainment, food, gluttony and humour. Since she’s written books on each of these topics, she hopes the ‘E’ word of her next book stands for something like Energy or Entertainment, but definitely not Exams or Epsom salts!
A few of her favourite things include grandchildren, guest speaking, writing, sewing, a warm fire, a good book, and pounding the pavement on early morning walks. Brenda has authored many books but is very excited about the upcoming - My Affair with Cancer, a fundraiser for the Georgian Bay Cancer Centre in Penetanguishene. Her other books include:
The Food Lover’s Devotional, food for both body and soul
Gentle Humour with Jesus, devotions for the light-hearted
The Pregnant Pause of Grief, the first trimester of widowhood
Meeting Myself, snippets from a binging and bulging mind.
Heartfelt Devotionals, 366 devotions for common sense living.
God, Gluttony & You
Brenda’s Children’s books include:
The Big Red Chair –a book for grieving children
Mother Peebles Problem Pebbles
The Plate Family Dishes Up
Brenda J Wood, author and motivational speaker
http://heartfeltdevotionals.com
http://www.twitter.com/size10hopefil
https://www.facebook.com/brendawoodspeaker
"Unfinished can be a lifestyle..." How true! Your entire post registered with me, Brenda, because Finishing seems to be the theme that keeps popping up in my life these days. Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI see we are on the similar wave length, Brenda. This question of yours pops out at me: "Will we be disenchanted when we get to the end of our time and think of all the projects that we never finished?" I certainly hope not!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother still had a crochet project in progress when she passed away. I would like to think that I might have something in hand that remains unfinished because it indicated I was involved in my life to the very end. At this stage of my life, I am working towards finishing jobs, projects, and assignments that are as yet unfinished. I certainly don't want them to be part of my 'legacy' for the next generation to sort through when I'm gone. I am also hoping that Mercy will cover the lot of what I have left undone.
Thanks for this finished post, Brenda. There are sure some days when my ‘sticktoitiveness’ is definitely lacking. I find myself pondering your question, “What are we if we don’t finish.” Thanks for giving me lots to think about and act on.
ReplyDeleteFinishing is something I'm working on these days. So many projects and ideas. There is such satisfaction when something is complete. Like Brenda L, I hope to be working on something until my last breath.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspiration to keep focusing on finishing, Brenda. I, too, like Brenda L., hope to be working on something until my last breath.
ReplyDelete