We have a saying in our family, “The mainest thing is, don’t get excited.” This loosely translates into “When something happens, the important thing is to remain calm.”
Along those same lines, my thought is always, “Will this be important 5 years from now?” It helps me decide if this is a hill I want to die on, or should I just “let it go?”
In any given situation, one must decide what is most important. For someone like me who makes a practice of reflecting often, it’s easier because I’ve already decided what is important to me.
Choose wisely
Once I know what means most to me, I can make wise choices. If it is important to my testimony, you better believe I want to do whatever it takes to have a good one.
If a clean orderly house is important to me, then my choices of how I spend my time better include some cleaning and putting things away.
If my writing time is more valuable to me, then sometimes I choose to not do certain things like aimlessly watching television, wandering through malls, or going to certain events. (Okay, I never want to wander through a mall.)
My family is everything to me; if my daughters want me to change family dinner night, pick up something from the pharmacy for them, or to keep Rory overnight, then I gladly rearrange my schedule. If the twins have a game, then MiMi gives up what she wants to do that day in order to sit in the bleachers and cheer for them. If my husband needs me to go to appointments with him, I’m there.
Make it easy
When you know what is important, it’s easier to choose.
Take time to think: What is vital to you? What choices can you make in 2022 to further your values?
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This post was written in response to the prompt, “important,” chosen for the Five Minute Friday gang of writers. We write for 5 minutes using the prompt. It is so fun to see where everyone’s thoughts take them! In the interest of full disclosure, I write for 5 minutes, then choose headings, pictures and scriptures. Because I’m wordy!
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I’m linking this post to the communities at Five Minute Friday, Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Tune In Thursday
Great truths here, Jerralea. Indeed when we know what’s important decisions become easy!
Before I started on the journey of becoming a blogger, I really had never paused and reflected before on what mattered most to me. It has made such a difference in my decision-making.
Thanks for dropping in, Donna.
As someone who doesn’t have a “Mimi” close by, thank you for being there for your family! You are a treasure, I’m sure. Happy New Year!
FMF #29 ❤️🧡🔒
Jen, I know how it is! My girls did not have a MiMi close by to go to their events, so it is doubly important to me to make sure I do what I can.
Thanks for coming by!
This is so true – deciding what’s important ahead of time helps you make wise decisions. I’m finding it helps me stay anchored during uncertainty too, because the things that are most important to me don’t change even though my circumstances might.
FMF#25
What a good point, Kym! Our priorities don’t change even though circumstances do. We just have to find a way to make it all work. I find God gives us wisdom to do just that.
Wow, Jerri! Great insights and truths here. I paused and reflected upon your words here for a bit. Blessings.
FMF#33
Thanks, Paula! I love sharing ideas with the FMF writers!
Wise insight in the choosing! I like this question: ““Will this be important 5 years from now?” I’m going to use that as my youngest sons transition into independence!
That thought has simplified a lot of things for me over the years! It’s amazing what is unimportant when you filter it through the lens of time.
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Maryleigh.
Keep calm and think of England,
that is what we must do
when portents we don’t understand
seem to be coming true.
Think about our dear old Queen,
and late and loved Queen Mum,
who had in life already been
through dangers we now walk among,
and look ye to brave history
of our God-graced isle,
and it will be no mystery
to see ourselves a-smile
for though we’ve each one life to give,
what man yet dies while England lives?
Thanks for sharing your words with us, Andrew!
I never want to wander through a mall either and yes, it is easier to choose when we know what’s important. I love the way you prioritize your family.
Wandering through a mall is never a priority for me either. 🙂 Having an uncluttered space to live is important to me though. It helps my mind and spirit breathe easier when my home is clean.
“When you know what is important, it’s easier to choose.” So true, Jerralea. I often ask myself when making a choice … “Will this matter in 5 years?” It really sheds light on what is not important at all.
Living by our values brings us clarity and contentment, I find! And keeps us in integrity. A great reminder to always be aware of our values in every decision we make throughout the day. I must admit I don’t always succeed at this, and end up watching too much of a streaming service!
Great message. When we know what’s important, it does make it easy. My sister-in-law reflects, “Does this have eternal value?” And that narrows it down even more to spiritual things, family, loving others, not tasks.