WHAT WAS I THINKING???????

 A little secret to getting me to do almost anything is to ask it far enough in advance and I will be under the illusion it is no big deal.  "SURE I CAN DO THAT!"  And then I put it promptly out of my mind----until I begin to feel a little anxiety creeping up from somewhere out of the blue.  I habitually look at my PAPER calendar/planner to see where I am supposed to be and what I should be doing.  I write it down as soon as I get the notification---and then most of the time--out of sight-out of mind.  Which means--as long as you do not ask for this month--I will probably say, "YES", THINKING, "Oh, I have plenty of time to get ready for that!"   Many times "Plenty of Time" translates into the last second.

And then MS Procrastination kicks into gear.  I am task oriented and those tasks which are on the calendar page I am looking at get all my attention.  Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow.  NOW-I have not always been like that.  In college I began my research as soon as a paper was assigned.  That sometimes backfired as the professor would change their other mind about exactly they wanted and change the details on me---post my beginning.  OH WAS I TICKED!  

AND THEN--there are those times when I do it to myself!  I thought a few weeks ago it would be wonderful to write Advent Thoughts daily from December 1 until Christmas Day.  

WHAT WAS I THINKING?  I had decided I would post only 4 days a week in an effort to not be stressed by blogging.  I love to write, but it should not feel like an unpaid job.  One day while writing, I thought about how we often forget the reason for the season in the haste and rush of all we have to do.  Why I should write a daily missive to remind us all (me included) exactly what we are celebrating.  It sounded like a good plan at the beginning of November, but here I am one month later and it is time to keep my word.

I really try to always keep my word, and I have gotten a few of the days written and ready to post.  I am counting on the Holy Spirit to give me the time, energy, and topics to complete the task.  It may not be exactly what you were expecting--but I promise it will be on topic.

Meanwhile, if you need me to do something --ask at least a month ahead.

"For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you,

'Do not fear I will help you.' "

Isaiah 41:13