I’m a big dreamer…a big plans kinda gal. My daily to do list and my “one day” to do list are both miles and miles long. One has vacuuming and grocery shopping while the other has things like write a book and take a sewing class. Although I’m usually chasing these plans and trying to catch up, part of me relishes in wildly and imaginatively juggling all of these balls simultaneously (of course while often dropping a couple or slipping on a few).
I was told over beers last night post volleyball (it’s all about balance) that it’s actually counter efficient for people to multi-task and keep to do lists…that people are better off focusing and honing in on one goal at a time…I mean, I can’t argue that, it makes sense. But for me this isn’t about efficiency or practicality. For me, it’s a pulse check. It’s a litmus test that yes, the list is still being written, I am still dreaming, still striving, still awake, and still moving forward (well backwards some days) – okay let’s just agree that I’m still “moving” (ish).
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been life stuck a number of times. I know what it’s like to spin my wheels and really accomplish nothing, I’ve had many seasons of standing still. But the chronic stand stillers or the “movement avoiders” are soul sucking to me. I get it, we all go through shit, but do we need to sit in it? Do we need to wade in it? Of course it’s a personal and subjective thing, because I don’t how long it takes before your skin starts to prune in the tub, only you know that for yourself. But let’s be real here, sometimes we definitely over stay those welcomes.
There are always unknowns, does that mean we stop stepping out? Yes, life is busy and stressful and unpredictable in many ways – but does the comfort of complacency feel better? Before you know it, too many days pass with our inaction; that eventually any movement becomes unfamiliar and scary. So much so, that those “to do” lists become chronic intention lists. Like suffocating in the chatter of someone’s repeat story, repeat complaint or expired emotions….those “one day’ers” waiting for better conditions, the reeeepppeeeeaaaatt story tellers whose plot never changes. Tell a new story – make a new list – plan a new day – come on already, let’s just move. Status quoers love the potential of maintaining status quo, by pushing status quo on everyone around them (because of course, it serves them) but before you know it, we’ve all stopped moving.
There is a season for all things. A time to wait, a time to plan and a time to do – there is a natural cycle – If you don’t reap what you sow, if you don’t dig what you plant…if you wait too long the harvest rots. The chronic holdout on the chronic intentions eventually become a chronic burden…and you almost become a slave to the idea and revere change as an idol that’s untouchable but worthy of worship.
As a Christian, I believe that God equips us to live in this impossible world and accomplish impossible things. As I grow older, I sometimes forget how very capable I am – and I see people around me forgetting to dream, forgetting to plan and putting off movement too…but capable is in our make up; capacity is in our DNA. So on this day off, while I nurse my healing dog, I write and rewrite my to do lists, hopefully crossing off a few by day’s end but graciously remembering that it’s this juggling that keeps my blood flowing and my dreams moving.
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