By default, I am a big "lists" person. I make lists for everything. "Grocery" lists, "to do" lists, "painting idea" lists, "books to read" lists, "baby names I like" lists, "places to visit before I die" lists, etc.... Sometimes I even make lists of things I need to make lists of. Like, today for example, I made a "to do" list and on it I put "make a list of school supplies to get."
Sometimes lists put me in "A to B" mode. You know, when you're so focused on just getting it done, that you don't put any thought into the process you go through to get it done. In some cases, that mentality is forgivable. But, what if life was full of moments of just going from A to B? Isn't life meant to be enjoyed along the way?
I'm learning that making lists is okay, but only as long as I don't complete the more important tasks just to check them off. I want to go through experiences in a way that they go through me; that the experience itself changes my life forever. I want to be changed by the places I visit, the books I read, the experiences I have day after day. I don't want to just go through life to get it done. I want to use life's experiences to take me through a refining process that will help me become a better person. Isn't that the real purpose of life, afterall?
5 comments:
Megan, I love lists too, often when I am checking the things I did on my list, and I did something that wasn't on it, I write it down and then check it off to further my sense of accomplishment. Is that weird? I don't know if I expect to turn the list in to a teacher to get a gold star and extra credit? Maybe I should just enjoy the process, and stop enjoying the check marks so much. Good entry, Makes me think!
I am SO a list person! I also write lists for everything. And then I rewrite them and then rewrite them again. I love lists. (my husband made me a list book, just so I can make all the lists I want!)
But it is also true that sometimes I find myself hurrying to get through my list that I forget to enjoy my list. Thanks for the thought, I think I'll pay more attenion to slowing down. :)
I also like to write list of the things that I have seen and the things that I have done. They help me remember the good times as well. I have lots of lists from previous vacations. They are fun to look at.
Lists are the best!
Calamity Jane, I do that, too! I especially like to do it with the grocery list. Marc gets really strict about only getting the things on our list, so if we're in the store and I see something I desperately need, I'll hurry and add it to the list, and then check it off. And then in the check out line, I proudly smile and tell him, "see, and we only got things that were on our list." :)
Kamie, what a sweet husband you must have to give you a list book! That sounds like a really fun thing to have! All of my lists are scattered all over the place on post-its. It would be nice to have one place to go for all my list-making fun... and then for the really important lists, I'll know exactly where they are when I need to review them. Thanks for the idea! :)
Megan you are a girl after my own heart!!! I never thought of the grocery list thing. Genius! Think of all the guilt you have helped me avoid! My future thanks you!
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