Cheers,
Ellesse

I’m going to mix it up more and be open to the chaotic creativity that you suggest. This was an extremely well-written post. Thank you.

Stacey – I love the idea of a “next action” list vs. a “to-do” list. And I know that living without a list isn’t for everyone! Although I would support anyone in trying it out for a week … sometimes what seems so important to our heads flies right out of our memory because, in actuality, it isn’t important at all. I think we do remember the truly and authentically important stuff! However, I know that keeping things written really serves some people in uncluttering the mind.

I love that you reward and celebrate yourself! Otherwise, what are we doing it all for, right?

Blessings,
Andrea

Patricia – You are so right. It’s really a relief to admit that we are not “in control” of much in our lives. We are in charge of our thoughts, emotions, actions, and words … but not their outcome. So we may as well relax …

Blessings,
Andrea

Spontaneity is the spice of life! I agree we need a balance of routine and spontaneity.

I used to be a big fan of the To Do list, but I always felt guilty when tasks didn’t get accomplished by the deadlines I set for myself.

In his popular book “Getting Things Done” David Allen suggests ditching the prioritized ‘Things to Do’ list in favor of a ‘Next Actions’ list. It is a prompt of the stuff needing doing, without the pressure of doing it in a particular order or by a certain time. He suggests if we write down the things that need doing, it frees our head space and gives us permission to relax. We know we won’t forget something important because it is on that list.

I’m not like you, sadly, able to work with only a calendar. Writing, mind-mapping and list making are tools I like to use to explore ideas and concepts, plan AND keep track of my multiple projects. Because it is written down, I can get on with my life – including the non-routine things – confident that I need only glance at a simple list to jog my imperfect memory and stay efficient.

And I find this part is important: I celebrate and pat myself on the back when the bigger tasks are achieved. I shout hooray and dance! And often I reward myself with some extra creative time in my art studio – even if it is the middle of my ‘work’ day. (Lucky that I am self-employed.)

The time has allowed me to pursue spiritual growth at an accelerated pace, beginning with a Soul Realignment from you, Andrea, then a ten day Vipassana meditation retreat, followed a couple months later with Reiki 1 & 2 and Master’s courses and attunements. I’m spending a lot of time with my eyes closed meditating these days.

I don’t seem to be physically or spiritually inclined towards routine. I never have been. Every aspect of my life recycles itself every few years. The longest job I’ve ever had was five years in the 70′s when I was a lead singer in a heavy metal rock band and was in a different city every week. There wasn’t much routine in any of that five years.

Spiritually, my life is the same way. My Guides bust me out of whatever routine I try to get myself into. I settled right into vipassana meditation and had thoughts that I would always practice vipassana as strictly as life would allow when low and behold they steered me to Reiki for the self healing. Now instead of an hour of vipassana meditation in the morning it’s an hour of Reiki then vipassana in the evening and I think they may be about to steer me in another direction then too. Japa meditation seems to be showing up a lot lately.

At times I envy people who can manage to establish routines for the security of it. I have in the past spent considerable time and energy concerned about the shaky ground I’ve found myself standing on. But then, I’m the one who said, “I surrender, do with me what you will.” So far I haven’t missed a meal or slept on a park bench.

As I’ve said before, Andrea, I’m a human being, not a human doing. Most of the busy work people are so determined to fill their lives up with seems a monumental waste of time at best. At the worst it makes life so hectic one doesn’t have the time to notice what’s happening right now in this moment as they are constantly concerned about getting to the next meeting, civic obligation, meditation group, drum circle, whatever. They are so busy trying to live a full life and/or ‘achieve’ enlightenment that they are missing their life entirely which is only in this moment right now. It’s the only thing that is real. The rest is dust in the wind.

Andrea – the ‘to-do’ list is officially trash for today! Thanks! I really need some ‘think’ time, anyway, so fooey on all that stuff that doesn’t HAVE to be done today.

It’s cold and rainy here today – I think after I click submit I’m going to go run a hot, bubble bath and take an hour to just soak and think – in broad daylight, no less!