A Free Day

Today, I had more time than usual, yet it was already 4:30 as I sat down to write. I’ve wrapped some gifts, organized the closet, finished and hung up a load of laundry, talked to a friend, picked up the house, had breakfast and lunch, thought about sweeping the outside porch, changed my mind, went over my calendar for the week, and indulged in some less critical distractions like checking Facebook to make sure I didn’t miss anyone’s birthday.

Typically, once a week, I have a day when I don't need to go anywhere, I have no urgent responsibilities aside from household chores, and I have the entire day to do whatever I want at home, whenever I want. I know how fortunate I am to have that time. If my cat allows it, I sleep in a bit. I still have ten hours ahead of me, wide open and ready to be filled with possibilities!

While drinking my coffee, I look at my ever-expanding to-do list and consider what I should tackle first. Writing is always a priority, but with the extra jolt of caffeine, I don’t want to sit in front of my computer; I want to move.

On these special days when I have more time, something changes. I become less focused. I switch tasks before finishing what I previously started and get easily distracted. It's because I feel there's no rush. I have all day to accomplish what I want to do.

Sometimes, I do something entirely outside my to-do list, like painting butterfly ornaments, organizing the file cabinet, or wrapping Christmas presents in September to avoid gifting them too soon.

On these days, when I have the most time to write, I have to force myself to sit down to do it. When I finally place my fingers on the keyboard, I often begin looking at emails, Facebook, Ancestry, researching, or following a rabbit trail prompted by the last email that caught my attention—everything but writing.

On the other days, when I have limited time to write, that’s what I do. I write. I have no time to waste on those days, so I do what I intended.

On the day I leave this earth, I’m positive my to-do lists will still have unmarked items. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I didn’t have an impossibly long list of goals waiting to be achieved each day. But is that the best way to live?  Do I need to have every minute filled with busyness? 

Today, I did accomplish something, even if it wasn't what I had in mind when I looked at my goals this morning. 

  I have to remind myself that my relentless pressure to be productive and achieve can also overshadow the pure joys of simply existing, fully embracing the present moment, and finding fulfillment in the serene beauty of nature. If I can do that, that's an actual achievement.

 I suspect that the desire to be equally mindful and productive will also make me a better writer.  

For now, I will look around and enjoy my clean house.  Light a candle.  Pet my cat.  Make a plan to relax this evening.  That’s the best goal I’ve had all day. 

I wish you all a relaxing evening enjoying life's simple pleasures. 

Thanks for reading!  Keep smiling!

xx