On purpose

The idea of purpose comes to me often. I have been simply floating along in my days. I take care of the essentials and some other things that come up but I am not accomplishing much. By afternoon I too often wonder where my day has gone. I am easily distracted from the goals I had (the computer and blogging being a big distraction for me). I was talking to Lauri and thinking about how it is good to be flexible in our schedules. It is good to available to help, serve, have fun with out children. Spontaneity is fun. I don't have to give these things up for purpose. I can be a stay at home mom, be available, and still live with purpose. I can have goals and not get mad when in the middle of a project I need to change a stinky diaper, or stop a fight, or get a snack. It has occurred to me that the difference between being tossed to and fro on any wave that comes along and living with purpose is that I make a conscious choice. I make a plan. I live with purpose and I can include in that purpose being available to my family. I do need to make goals, lists, limit time on the computer, and make the time to do those things that I feel most passionate about, those things that are truly most needful. I am seeking to put first things first and therefore be a better steward of the many blessings with which I have been entrusted.

So I do want to plan my day with purpose. I want to begin each day looking at my calender, considering long term goals, obligations, my roles as wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend and make a plan. I don't have to live in a state of confusion, wondering what should I do next, or simply running crisis management. I want to set aside a reasonable amount of time for filling my own cup and continuing my own education and learning. I believe I can come to the end of the day and be able to say, "it was a good day". I can even say it when all that may be done on my list is being there for a sick child, getting dinner to a new mother, or running a last minute item for my husband.