The tasks you have at hand right now, the ones that have you stressed and running around, will you remember them in one year? How about in five?
In ten years, will you remember what distracted you today? Most likely not!
Five years ago, I had a stressful corporate job that caused me a lot of heartache and a few gray hairs. I had an overly busy life while maintaining the American dream. Looking back, all I notice is the time I missed with my family. I don’t remember the projects that stole my focus from my girls; I remember coming home from work late at night when everyone was asleep. Although I’ve changed careers since and shifted a few things, the business of life continued.
Then last year, COVID hit, almost everything shut down, and I was forced to quarantine with my family. That’s when I realized that life would continue moving forward regardless of my overwhelming to-do list. My insane attitude towards everything that has to be done right now suddenly shifted because that was no longer true.
I am still busy today, working two jobs and homeschooling my girls. However, I have learned to prioritize. I have learned how to say no more often to things that add no value to my life or situation. I have learned to evaluate each task with “will I remember this in five years?” if the answer is no, then it’s not worth my energy.
Our lives are nothing but an hourglass. With each passing sand, we have to ask ourselves, did we do something meaningful that will make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. Life is short, and our days are numbered. Where our focus is, there our heart will be.
