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September 07, 2006

Letting Go of To-Do Lists and The Wonder of Geraniums

As I think I've mentioned in previous posts, one huge lesson God is teaching me as a new mom is how to live in each moment, becoming less task-oriented and more eternally-oriented. I am making baby steps in this area, and He is infinitely patient with me, but they are encouraging just the same.

Over the weekend, on a visit to my parents, my mom shared an article from Real Simple magazine entitled "Letting go of your to-do list." A secular article but convicting just the same, and it really spoke to me. Thought I would share a piece of it with all of you:

5 steps to living more of your life:
1. Think "easy." Ask yourself several times a day, no matter
what you're doing, no matter how overwhelmed you feel, "How
easy, how simple, how absolutely delightful, could I make this
task?"
2. Stop measuring yourself based on how much you get done in any
given day, and start celebrating yourself based on how much you
discover. Let go of being the world's greatest efficiency expert
and embrace the role of lover and adventurer.
3. Look up from your to-do list at least three times a day and
take in your surroundings. Look for delight in the most
unexpected places.
4. Listen to the people you love best as if you've never met
them before. Don't assume that you know how they feel or what
they're thinking. Listen for who they are now, what they're
passionate about now, what delights them now.
5. Look for the magical moments, those unextraordinary, brief
moments when they're playing "The Way You Look Tonight" or
someone has made you cry with laughter. Embrace that person and
say out loud, "Right now, isn't this great? Here we are
together. And we love each other. Aren't we lucky?"
6. Sit down for just five minutes. (Just kidding.)

My magical moment came today when I took Natalie onto the back porch and she noticed our white geranium. I moved closer with her, and we spent a good ten minutes with her examining the leaves and me in wonder at what must be going on in her brain. The cool thing was that it made me take in the details and intricacy of God's creation as well. "God of wonders, beyond our galaxy..."

And yesterday, when I followed that internal voice to nap with her instead of doing the next list item, I ended up reading from a nightstand book as I awoke and nursed her. The selections I read spoke to every worry that had been in my heart and mind recently, and I felt full of peace. I thought how cool that God gave me that, and I would have missed the opportunity if I'd plowed ahead with the list.

When I've slowed down these past couple of weeks, God has had chances to encourage, love and grow me. Like having great girl time with my buddies Amy B and Jennie O last week!! Woopee!!

Anyway, this is all not to say what a spiritual girl am I, but just to share as one of our pastors would say, "From one beggar to another where to find bread."

Love to all!!
Shan

Posted by Shannon at 05:33 PM | Comments (1)