Check Your ‘In Basket’

Candy blogs: Can you relate to this statement? “Remind yourself that when you die, your “IN BASKET” won’t be empty.”

Here is the full quote: “Remind yourself that when you die, your “IN BASKET” won’t be empty. Our obsession with our to-do list is not temporary. We try to convince ourselves that once we get through the list we will be calm, relaxed and happy. In reality, this rarely happens. As items are checked off, new ones simply replace them.” from “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”

I see wise people blogging a lot more about living more simply, slowing the pace, enjoying simple pleasures, getting back to basics. I’m so happy to see this. Most of us have let our lives become cluttered with the quest for more possessions, adding activity to an already busy life, living for ourselves, believing that our success is measured by how much we accomplish instead of the imprint we leave on the lives of those we influenced.

We live our lives always looking toward the next item on our list, the next event, the next season, the next thing.
… as soon as I get the kitchen cleaned up, I can relax.
… as soon as this TV show is over, I’ll read to the kids.
… as soon as this week is over, I’ll have time to think.
… as soon as this busy season at work is over, I’ll take some time off.
… as soon as my schedule permits, I’ll exercise again.
… as soon as the baby’s out of diapers, I’ll be able to breathe again.
… as soon as my last child is in 1st grade, I’ll get my photo albums caught up.
… as soon as all the kids have graduated, we can focus on our marriage.
… as soon as we get our house the way we want it, we’ll pay off our debt.
… as soon as THIS is over, things will get back to normal.

Today gets lost in our looking toward tomorrow.

I’m not saying that there aren’t busy times or tasks that must be completed. But I am saying that we’ll live a more satisfying and meaningful life if we don’t allow our whole life to be “a busy time”. This is what happens when we’re left to ourselves without the guidance of values that don’t change with the wind. Like a printed page that is difficult to read when the margins are too narrow, life automatically becomes cluttered without enough margin or white space.

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Jesus Christ says:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30

Consider this:
What is important to you?
What are your priorities?
Does your life reflect what you value?

Without purposeful thought and time for reflection and evalutaing, we will come to the end of our life wondering where the time went. When that time comes, we won’t wish we had more possessions, or a bigger house, or had been thinner, or had more education, or spent more time at work. We’ll wish we had just one more day with those we love.

Our times of quiet rest and reflection restore us and strengthen us for the necessary busy times. Give both your attention.

Life is lived today. We already know that tomorrow never comes.