I have so much to do today.....

5 Things

By: Erin 

My to-do this has gotten out of control for today

I want to call it quits because there is no way for me to get it done

My worry sits in my stomach

My fear of failure replays in my brain

Before I give up on the list that seems impossible to get through

I will remind myself of these things that remain true:

First:

You are not defined by your accomplishments or a completed goal

Rather you are who you are because of your beautiful soul

Second:

In the midst of things seemingly too difficult or tough

Remember its okay to take breaks and say “that’s enough”

Third:

Your “to-do” list in life will always grow longer with more and more to do

But the most important thing on that list is taking care of you

Fourth:

Life is not a competition to see who can be the best or get the most done

Life is about us following after the one and only Son

Fifth:

You’re list may earn you praise, compliments, and admiration

But these can lead to us trying to fill others’ unstated expectation

So when I face my insanely long to-do list today

I’m going to try not to panic as I will remember that my best is more than okay

I won’t quit on this list or on my day or on my life because of some stuff I need to do

In life – the list will never end

It is one thing after the next that we must attend

And while this would cause me distress and strife

Now that I’m in control – I see that is that just life

My first priority on that long list will always be me

And that is just the way it has to be

New and Old

A “New” Day

By: Erin 

The concept of a ‘new day’ after a rough night

Has never really seemed something quite right

The day after a struggle needs to be that of reflection and insight

Not simply pretending that everything is alright

Yesterday was a rough one

I hardly got anything done

My thoughts were out of control

I was tempted to hide in a hole

And while technically today is a ‘new day’ for it is not old

If I ignore what happened, the trigger, the hurt

For sure the darkness of yesterday will return…. Uncontrolled

I used to promise myself a fresh start tomorrow or the next

Unfortunately that promise was empty because the problem is complex

While each day is “new” in one sense it does not mean it will be ideal

Especially so, if I have not taken the time to heal

My own false promise of a new tomorrow where I will be better than today

Did nothing but lead me off the path and completely astray

It is true we are not defined by our past troubles and pain

But we must often look back at what at the source if we want to break the chain

It is difficult to wake the day after a battle was fought

And know that the hard part has not yet begun

But before you get overwhelmed and distraught

Remember this is how the war is won

Remember this is how that ‘new day’ comes and stays

And then you have the tools to keep the bad days away… always