Stop It

That's what I keep telling myself.

It's a constant reminder I need for a couple of things.

One is to stop getting caught up in so many tasks that I lose sight of my journey.

The other is to stop beating myself up when I fall short.

I'm one of those guys that makes task lists.

I love to get things done.

And I love to cross them off the list.

It gives me a moment of success and a feeling of satisfaction.

But that feeling does not last long.

Because my list is so much longer.

I like to remind myself and others to participate in life.

Then appreciate and celebrate that participation.

My problem is that I consume my time with participation.

I don't always balance that with appreciation and celebration.

Once things are off the list, I move on.

I don't stop.

As I sit here now, I am fully aware of this notecard.

The one that sits to my left, filled with today's tasks.

Somehow, twenty tasks found their way to this card.

Twelve items are crossed off the list, complete.

But guess what I see.

Guess what catches my eye.

Those other eight tasks.

So let the mind game begin.

I talk about this a lot.

That most everyone does not need advice.

Most of us just need an ear.

Someone to share in our joys and struggles.

I am blessed with plenty of safety lines.

People I can and do turn to and lean on.

Those I can trust.

Those who share in this great life adventure together with me.

And I need these people.

And I need to be there for them.

To remind and to be reminded.

Because we don't really need each other's advice.

We need each other's attention.

We need people who treat us better than we treat ourselves.

And who say the things we do not say to ourselves.

The people who see the twelve and not the eight.

Looking over my several hundred daily journals, I notice something.

I notice I'm getting there.

These journals allow me to reflect, but more importantly, to stop it.

Stop overfilling my list and stop beating myself up.

I encourage you to do the same.

Look out for yourself and for others.

Be an encourager for others and for yourself.

It's okay to notice and wonder, but not to berate.

It is all information.

The question is, what are we going to do with that information?

My recommendation is to pause, breathe, and smile.

To participate, to appreciate, and to celebrate.

Keep track of the journey.

Do what you can, then let go.

Be kind.

And stop it.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash