Live in the Day: a To-Do List
“It’s not what you did; It’s how you lived.” Great line from the song How You Live by Point of Grace. The song also gives me ideas on how to live in the day.
So how have you lived this week?
- In the moment?
- In the past?
- Waiting for tomorrow to live, create, help, celebrate?
To live in the day means embracing the moments as they present themselves . . .
- Waking up with open windows to hear the singing birds or splashing rain. Here’s my variation on this idea. My dd and I have a date to eat in the car the next time it pours down with rain. Snuggling under dryer-warmed blankets . . . Eating steaming food . . . Hearing the drops pound upon the car . . . Reciting rain poetry . . . Sharing the moments together. What moment will you seize today to live fully with ALL your senses and with a loved one?
- Taking a few chances. This is harder for me. I am not naturally a big chance-taker and get less so the older I get. Last night my dd and I wrote for 10 minutes on “I Want… (fill in the blank).” I listed fairly predictable things, except for the one about wanting to ride a camel. I need some new ideas. What are some ways you are taking chances?
- Embracing the truth. Praying and journaling from two different Lenten Guides (found here and here) are helping me discover the lies I hold dear. And they are helping me to lean into the truth of simplicity, sacrifice, relationship with God and thankfulness. What truth do you need to/want to lean into and embrace?
- Thinking about those around me. This week I’ll do that by making time to listen to a few through a phone call or visit. I’ll write a few notes of appreciation and several “I’m praying for you” cards. I’ll pray with the staff today about church attendees, ministries, and other requests on our hearts. “Lord, help me to be open to Your agenda for my life today and this week. “Give me Your eyes for just one second” and help me respond NOW with Your love.” Shall I pray the same for you?
Look over the lyrics of How You Live. Have a listen. What will go onto your “Living in the Day To-Do List”?
How You Live: Turn Up The Music by Point of Grace
Verse 1
Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don’t hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don’t spend your life lookin’ back
Chorus
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won’t regret it
Lookin’ back from where you have been
Cuz it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
It’s how you live
Verse 2
So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don’t run from the truth
‘Cause you can’t get away
Just face it and you’ll be okay
Chorus
Bridge
Oh wherever you are and wherever you’ve been
Now is the time to begin
Verse 3
So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E’en when you don’t think that you can
‘Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
‘Cause in the end there’s nobody else
Chorus
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
It’s how you live
Entry filed under: Main, Meditations, Music.
1.
lynette | . at .
Like this post. This week I a practicing “Living in the light of eternity”, in other words “what can I do today to prepare for eternity?”
1. Love God
2. Love God by loving others.
3. recognize opportunities
4. place importance on relationships (computer off early in evening & not turned on until after 8am, this is hard)
5. be mindful of my grumbling heart.
to name a few.
I am striving to change my perspective. Choosing a nugget out of each chapter in 40 days of purpose, looking for application & applying it.
————
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2.
lynette | . at .
Oh I forgot. We had a meal in our car one day in Pacific Grove. We were at the park & it started to rain. We rain to the car & ate lunch inthe wagon part. It was fun!!!
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3.
sillydoodah | . at .
Excellent post, and great questions! Here is one simple thing I’ve been doing recently to live in the moment. Usually when I take my shower, my head is a zillion miles away thinking, pondering, worrying, etc. And I just roboticly do my shower.
But lately I’ve been trying to pay more attention. Use the really good soaps and bath gels; deep condition my hair and take that time to massage my scalp; spend some time massaging my neck and shoulder muscles (where I keep most of my tension); etc, etc.
And while I do this, I just try to think of ways to be gentler with myself and kind to myself – not just in caring for my skin and hair, but also my soul. I tend to be a harsh judge to myself, so this is good practice in just being kind.
This is a good time to pray too, and thank God that He loves me and is gentle, kind, and compassionate toward me.
So there ya go — Spa Retreat, every day. 🙂
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4.
susan2009 | . at .
Lynette – your ideas ring true for me as well: gratitude versus grumbling heart, eternal perspective, concentrating on people over things, capitalizing on opportunites and LOVE.
Sounds like the 40 DOP has been helpful. I’m glad for you. I bet you add some good thoughts and humour to the group. :-0
Thanks for sharing your eating in the car memory.
Doodah – I love the idea of a spa retreat every day. That IS something I can do to pamper myself physically and soulfully.
God does love us and HE IS gentle, a gentle shepherd. I forget that too many times. This week I want to meditate on the idea (and TRUTH) that God is a gentle shepherd. Thanks so much for sharing these ideas.
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