It was a marathon for me this weekend…no not the race, marathon of running errands and getting things done for the family in preparation for back to school. As I sat down to catch my breath I opened my Bible and was led to Luke 10:41-42 immediately. Most of us have heard this story of Martha and Mary where one was a doer (Martha) and the other was a thinker (Mary). As I read this passage all I could hear in my heart was “how are you still going to be running in a million directions? Are you a doer or a thinker?”
I answered “why do I have to choose? Why can’t I be both?”. Of course I can be both! Last week a 41 year old coworker was rushed to the hospital upon the onset of what seemed like a heart attack (later confirmed as so); another coworker in his early 50s was airlifted to the hospital upon the onset of what seemed like a stroke (later confirmed as so). Life gets to be way too busy and sometimes getting things done require some thinking, prioritizing and learning to say NO. I am as busy a wife-mom-employee-writer-friend-sibling-daughter as they come; however I try to stay diligent by keeping these 10 tips in mind. As we dive back into schedules and routines in a new school year, anytime you feel your life is too hectic for your own sanity, I encourage you to action just 1…2…maybe 3…oh all 10.
Stop…halt your steps! This means slow down because life is happening all around you. That one email you think you need to send can wait while you stretch; that text message you hurriedly have to send during rush hour should wait while you focus on the road and listen to some praise music to lift up your spirit (so you aren’t an irate driver) …just saying 🙂
Whose race are you racing? It is your race and yours alone. You listen to that calming voice (some call it instincts, I call it the Holy Spirit) and map out your course with God’s guidance.
Worry less, PRAY more! Worrying will only elevate your blood pressure, heart rate, paranoia, negative thoughts and eventually fear creeps in. What you need to do is to speak to God more, have conversations with Him “…do not be wise in your own ways…” Proverbs 3:7
Rid yourself of the unknowns. No one knows the future; what the next minute hold for us. Why are you focusing on something you have no control over – the future.
Practice my 3Ps: Purpose, Plan, Prioritize. What’s your purpose for the day? Do you have a plan of action? Have you prioritized that list? Knowing your purpose helps you aim your energy appropriately; having a plan helps you stay on track to meeting that purpose; prioritizing helps you sift through things that wouldn’t add value to your purpose.
Seek UNDERSTANDING. In other words, seek the