My To-Do List

“I really, really want to produce. That's the top of my to-do list.”

Lauren Conrad

“Rename your “To-Do” list to your “Opportunities” list. Each day is a treasure chest filled with limitless opportunities; take joy in checking many off your list.”

Steve Maraboli – Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

I’ve created a “to-do" list, several tasks for myself today, all in alignment with my goals.  I still have a lot of work to do, so I thought I should get a blog done.  Doing two blogs is one of my goals, by the way.  It feels good to sit here and work on my goals and it feels good to write.   I enjoy these days, when I get a lot of time to myself.  I enjoy them even more when I use the time wisely.

Right now I’m only writing for the sake of self-discipline.  My message will come soon enough, but at the moment I don’t have anything to say.  It doesn’t matter though.  My Muse will appear when she’s ready.  Sometimes she makes me wait longer than others.  That waiting time is incredibly painful.  The only cure for it, the only cure, is work.  If she sees me working, she will show up.  If not, she will wait.  Or worse, she will leave and not tell me when she will return.

The Enemy is also waiting in the wings.  It is tempting me to do other things.  Some of them might even feel good or fun.  It doesn’t matter.  They are not part of my Purpose.  But the Enemy knows that if I waste time, I will feel defeated.  So I sit here, almost sweating, in order to finish this work.  Why am I sweating?  I’m sweating because I’m afraid.  What am I afraid of?  I’ve mentioned these before but here are my fears”

·      I’m afraid of not reaching my potential.

·      I’m afraid of fear or despair overwhelming me.

·      I’m afraid of wasting time.

·      I’m afraid of not doing my best.

·      I’m afraid of not making a difference.

I don’t want to spend any more time thinking about my fears.  Earl Nightingale says in, The Strangest Secret, “Stop thinking about what you fear.  Each time a fearful or negative thought comes into your conscious mind, replace it with a mental picture of your positive and worthwhile goal.” 

So let me replace the thoughts above with worthier thoughts.  Here’s what I want:  No.  Here’s what I’m doing:

·      I’m reaching my potential.

·      I’m allowing love, hope, peace and joy to flood my thoughts.

·      I’m using my time well.

·      I’m doing my best.

·      I’m reaching my potential.

That list is even more enjoyable than my “to-do" list. All of the above is not just wishful thinking. It’s actually happening now.  It’s true now.  I’m really doing all those things.  And so can anyone.  As I’ve said, we can change our lives in a moment.  More precisely, we can change our lives in every moment, provided we use those moments purposefully and well. 

In addition to what I’m doing, as mention above, I’m also doing the following:

·      I’m raising my self-esteem.

·      I’m inviting peace and joy into my day.

·      I’m preparing for opportunity when it shows.

·      I’m preparing for the day when I get my house on the beach.

·      I’m creating order and structure in my life.

·      I’m creating my own happiness.

·      I’m moving closer to my goals.

·      I’m inspiring others.

·      I’m being responsible.

·      I’m creating a better future.

·      I’m creating a better day today.

This was fun.  I started out feeling good and now I feel even better.  If I had started out feeling bad, then I would have still felt better.  This is one more thing I can take off my list.  Now I have more things to do, so I’d better Get Started and Keep Going…and finish what’s on my “to-do" list.