Remembering to Write it Down

So if you hang around me at all, you’ve probably seen me pull out my small notebook and write something down. I want to remember what I heard someone say or a thought that ran through my mind. And, many times, something I heard will be the inspiration for an upcoming blog. In fact, my friend was telling me about his experience during his recent prison ministry while showing the prisoners a video of beautiful waterfalls. He remarked to me: "They were so inspired because they had never seen such a beautiful sight!" I wrote in my notebook "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" and that was the topic of a blog I wrote later. My current little notebook has "Blessed" on the cover. That's a bonus because I am reminded when I pick it up to write a note, how BLESSED I am.

I can’t tell you how many times that I DIDN’T write something down and sure wish I had. It's just too busy in this world for us to only rely on our noggin to remember it all. And to add to it, the older we get, the tendency is to forget even more -- especially important things that matter, like a birthday of a close friend, a doctor's appointment, a meeting, an important phone call, and making a grocery list to remember everything we need. We're so busy and have so much mind overload, a little notebook can "save the day" many times. I have understood the value of writing down my experiences. I've kept a journal for years, and when asked, I can refer to my journal for what happened on a particular date. And, now I go a step further, I carry a notebook with me all the time. I even keep a notepad by my bed just in case I think about something in the middle of the night that I need to remember. I also use my cell phone's calendar because, yes, this girl has a busy schedule.

Even if I wasn't a writer and blogger, I would still want to be prepared for that inspiration that comes just at the drop-of-a-hat. I don’t want to miss those moments, because I have missed some and just thought I'd remember them, but didn't! But I've wised up, even when I'm driving. My cell phone has a memo recorder on it, and now, I'll record a thought or inspiration. And, eventually, I had the subject of my post, blog or teaching just waiting for me.

So carry that notebook, put a pad and paper next to the bed, and record or jot down those inspirational moments that could be part of "your story" someday. I'm always encouraging mamas and daddies to journal those cute little stories of their kids. I promise you, you'll want to recall them someday. I know that neither you or I want to regret those unwritten, forgotten inspirations and joys.

Wouldn’t it be better to take a moment, write it down and then someday tell an incredible story on a talk show about how inspiration hit you on the 405 and BAM -- the greatest novel ever? Write that down, because when that day comes, REMEMBER it was ME that told you.....and I'll say, "You're welcome!"

Habakkuk 2:2 "Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets so that a runner can carry the correct message to others."

What Does Your List Look Like?

No doubt, my list is very different from yours.
For my Frisco grandson and granddaughter, their list probably includes:
~ Pack for Guatemala missions trip (they leave Monday for 7 days with 55 other students);
~ Buy items needed for the trip;
~ Get household chores completed;
~ Get some extra zzz’s before leaving, because they'll need it!

For young moms, your list may look like this:
~ Buy kids’ clothes for the new school year;
~ Buy school supplies;
~ Get kids’ medical and dental appointments made;
~ Do the laundry, make dinner, take kids to swimming lessons, and on and on.

For married couples, your list may look like this:
~ Plan date night for this weekend;
~ Buy anniversary gift;
~ Help each other with household chores;
~ Set aside time to discuss goals for our future.

For business people, your list may look like this:
~ Finish the business plan
~ Set up a staff meeting
~ Pack for business trip

For seniors and retirees, your list may be a "bucket" list. I just completed one of my bucket list items -- go to Holy Lands. Check. We all have lists of some kind – from grocery lists to goals and objectives lists.

While away last week on a family vacation, I had no lists at all – except to show up for family fun, meals and activities. But now that I’m back home and settled into my routine again, I’ve started some daily lists. In reality, I still need to make lists because if I don’t – then I’m wondering “What was that that I needed at the store? Or “When was that appointment?” I keep a little note pad with me most all the time to ensure I make a note of things I need to get or do. Lord knows that I’ve made the mistake of NOT writing it down and wished I had. LOL!

Maybe it’s this season where I don’t have the usual daily activities that I once had with raising my children and being a wife to a very busy man and working at an outside-the-home job, but I sure do remember the need for lists. Now I have new lists – beyond the tangible things I need to do and accomplish, and some things that will outlast me.

While flying back home from Mexico, a lovely lady and I conversed about our children and grandchildren, as well as other “loves” we have in our lives. She inspired me so much with one of her daily “to-do’s”, that I’ve added it to my daily to-do list. Every morning, she calls her three children just to visit with them for a few moments. She said she never misses a day. In fact, if she doesn’t call by 10 am, she gets a call from them to see if she’s okay. Usually it’s because she’s gotten so busy with something. I took that little inspiration personally. While I know my children lead very busy lives and have so many responsibilities, I know they will always welcome a call from Mom just to say “Good Morning. I love you so much!” Yes, I should have started this long before now, but I don’t want any “would-a, should-a, could-a” actions to be a part of my vocabulary, so I’ve started my daily calls. And, since my kids are out of pocket or out of town (like Ryan and Shawntel still being in Mexico), I’m then leaving a text message for them.

Oftentimes, lists can overwhelm us with so much to do and with so little time to do it all. But here’s what I’ve come to know and do. Nothing is more important than right now, and right now with those we love and hold dearest to us. Nothing is more important than picking up the phone to call a friend to give a quick word of encouragement, or even to send a quick text message of encouragement. Nothing is more important than reaching out and hugging a little one when they pass by. Nothing is more important than saying “I love you” to those in our sphere of influence. Lists are extremely important, but “in the moment” moments, are what makes for an end-of-the-day deep sigh of “I finished this day strong and finished those things that money can’t buy. I was a lover and a lover doesn’t need a list to love. I loved.” Check.

Remembering to Write It Down

It's just too busy in this world for us to just rely on our noggin to remember it all. And to add to it, the older we get the tendency is to forget even more.....especially some really important things.....things that matter, like a birthday of a close friend, picking up a child at school, a doctor's appointment, that very important phone call or THE GROCERY LIST and having to go back to the grocery store because we forgot that MOST important item! I know that not remembering is a condition that is also the product of too much busy-ness and too much mind-overload. I understand the value of writing down my experiences. I've kept a journal for years, but now I go a step further, I carry a notepad with me all the time.

I jot down those things I think about that I need to get or to do...eventually. I even keep a notepad by my bed at night – just in case I think about something in the middle of the night that could keep me awake if I didn't write it down. I also use my cell phone to keep my calendar -- yes, this girl has a busy schedule.

Even if I wasn't a writer and blogger, I would want to be constantly prepared for that inspiration that comes just at the drop-of-a-hat . I don’t want to miss those moments, because I have missed some and just thought I'd remember them, but because I didn't take the time to write it down, it left me high and dry! But I've wised up, even when I'm driving. My cell phone has a memo recorder on it, and now, I'll record a thought or an inspiration....and whoa la -- eventually I had the subject of my post, blog or teaching just waiting for me.

So carry that notebook, put a pad and paper next to the bed, and record or jot down those inspirational moments that could be part of "your story" someday. I'm always encouraging mamas and daddies to journal those cute little stories of their kids. I promise you, you'll want to recall them back to them someday. I know that neither you or I want to regret those unwritten, forgotten inspirations and joys.

Wouldn’t it be better to take a moment, write it down and then someday tell an incredible story on a talk show about how inspiration hit you on the 405 and BAM -- the greatest novel ever? Write that down, because when that day comes, REMEMBER it was ME that told you.....and I'll say, "You're wecome!"