seasons and schedules

usually around this time of the year i pen some words in my journal (or type a few into the blogosphere) about the wonderful change in season we call, "fall". i love the fall! but i have to say...for some reason, this year it seems a lot colder than usual! and we've had a lot of dreary, rainy days. but still, the weather in autumn always inspires me to cozy up in doors with my coffee and buckle down to all the reading, studying and work i have to get done. i would venture to say that this is the season of the year in which i am most productive.

which reminds me... i had an epiphany the other night as i was lying in bed thinking of all the to-do's coming down the pike. you see, normally, i try to give myself a little light at the end of the tunnel...like, once i finish that, or once that's over with...then i'll have a lighter schedule. so it finally dawned on me: that never happens. i might as well accept it. this is life. life can be busy. and certain season in life will be busier than others. but life is busy.

now, some would tell me to just simply take it a day at a time. however, for me personally, taking this approach led me to a laize-fair, hakuna matata, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, procrastinating attitude about life. but nor do i want to swing to the opposite extreme and be constantly focused to the future that i'm missing the present.

so.

for me, i'm growing in my understanding of how God's wired me...and how i work best. (this is big for me) i must stay on top of my schedule. schedule out as best i can. prioritize. give myself ample time needed for accomplishing all that God has given me to do. and then...take it one step at a time. this allows me to say, "yes!" and "no!" to the right things, give myself to what matters most, be used where my gifts are most effective, finish what i've started, be a man of my word, and truly understand my priorities in life.

then i look at all the clutter on my desk and realize...this is a work in progress.