Getting Your Life Back
by Sandy Fowler
What does your calendar look like? Is it a pocket size notebook, a monthly calendar, a journal, or a planner? Is it paper or electronic? The style you choose will depend on your "personal organizational style" and your lifestyle. However, no matter what style of calendar you choose, it is a very powerful tool. Your calendar is a tool you use to create your life. This is the place where you make decisions about what gets to be part of your life and what doesn't.
When someone invites you to an event, what is the first thing that happens? You decide whether or not you want to attend. This usually happens in a split second. You just go with your gut, or you get swayed by the person who invited you. What would it be like if you were able to take some time to make that decision? What if you could think about it, decide if this is how you really want to spend your time, and then answer the invitation? Your calendar gives you that chance. It gives you the opportunity to put the important things in your life first so that you can mold and shape your life.
Being able to say, "Let me check my calendar" gives you the time you need to make a decision. If you look at your calendar you are looking at your life. So take a look at yours. What do you see? Is it full of work? Does it have the things you love to do? When's the last time you went to the theatre? Kayaking? Curled up with a good book? Do you have time for your family? Are the things that are most important to you listed on your calendar? If not, then they probably aren't happening. So what do you want to do with your time? You'll have to spend some time thinking about your priorities. When those are clear to you, put them on your calendar.
Remember to schedule time for yourself. You're no good to anyone if you don't take time to refresh yourself. So take time to meditate, pray or play, whatever renews your spirit. Take time for the people you love, and time to follow your dreams. Life is busy and if you don't create time for the important things they won't happen. Life happens whether we plan or not. If we don't take control then someone else will plan our life for us.
The next time someone invites you somewhere, or asks you to do something, take a deep breath then say "I'll check my calendar and let you know. Would tomorrow afternoon be a good time to get back to you?" Then do what you said you would do. Check your calendar, and check your priorities. Is this something you really want to do? Does it fit in with your priorities right now? If your number one priority is your family and you were going to have dinner together but someone invited you to attend a lecture, or to play basketball, which event do you want to take precedent? These are the moments that shape our lives.
This is your opportunity to make a small choice that will have an impact on your life. So take your time. Just because someone asks you a question, or gives you an invitation, it doesn't mean you have to give an answer immediately. As Frederick Frieseke said "The key to your universe is that you can choose." It's your life, choose wisely.
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Sandy Fowler
- Wife
- Mom
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