Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A Not To Do List!

wfw-2008

Welcome to Word-filled Wednesday.

It's such a joy to be your hostess today!

The purpose of WFW is share God's word (no famous quotes or literature...only the word of God)

The home of WFW is at Amy’s 160 Acre Woods.

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I recently read a quote by Robyn Coffman that made me stop and think about what she was saying:

“Clutter isn’t only what you can see; it’s what you can’t see. It perpetuates your overloaded schedule, endless commitments and overwhelming fears. A cluttered mind means over-thinking, over-reacting, over-analyzing, over-worrying, and over-committing.”

Most of us can identify with the need to de-clutter our lives.  I believe as we do, we are less burdened down and begin to experience more of the abundant life that Jesus promised to us. 

Today I would like to offer a few suggestions on how you can start your own "Not-to-do" list. 

  • Not to feel guilty for saying “no” to something that may be OK, but is not right for you at this particular time.
  • Not to feel like you need to have all the answers to everyone’s problems.
  • Not to feel responsible for everybody else’s well-being.
  • Not to say “yes” just because you were invited.
  • Not to buy something just because it is on sale.
  • Not to think you have to cook a big meal, do laundry, clean the house, and spend quality time with your family all on the same day.
  • Not to mull over or become burdened down with other people’s mistakes.
  • Not to compare yourself to others.

I think you get the idea. The more you give yourself permission “Not-to-Do” so many things, the more you will free yourself to live a more balanced and abundant life.

I’ve got a long way to go, hopefully you’ll join me on this quest!




39 comments:

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Amen! We can't do it all, all the time...or even some of the time. We have to know where to set our boundaries. Thank you for that great reminder!

Happy WFW!
And thank you for hosting!

Peggy said...

Blessings Susan... Love your NOT TO DO list and this verse!!! I'm ready for the abundant life and so appreciate your wisdom in how to de-clutter, etc. Don't we all have a long way to go... wanting to be balanced!!! I'm IN... the quest is the BEST for us in Jesus!

"My Purpose is to give Susan and Peggy and each WFW participant a RICH satisfying life" Thank You Jesus...Your WORD puts us on the road to RICHness!

Thanks Susan for hostessing and helping us get rid of burdens!
Love you!
(((hugs)))
Peggy

Pia said...

i've started de-cluttering my life last year. i've realized how much baggage i was carrying.

Chris said...

Thanks for sharing this... what a great reminder for us!

jo.attalife said...

I'm copying this, I need the reminder! Thanks! ;)
Please see mine here.

Mylene said...

Amen! As much as we want, we can't really do all things at a time.

Your list is a great reminder for me ;)

Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Interesting!
Always praying!
Psalm 71:14-16: But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
Prayer Bears
My email address

LivingforGod said...

I'm so thankful that Jesus came to give us eternal life and abundant life. Thanks for sharing your wonderful not-to-do list.

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Wonderful WFW. I do need to de-clutter my life.Thanks for the inspiration .
Blessings,
~Myrna

Joan Hall said...

I love this list, the first one is especially meaningful to me. I have a hard time saying no to things and tend to become overloaded and frustrated.

I'm learning to say no - for instance, I didn't volunteer to lead a Bible study this spring, I stepped down from a leadership position at church, etc. I was so caught up in the "busyness" of serving, it left me little time for "business" with the Father.

I can't begin to tell you how liberating this feels. Spending more time with the Heavenly Father is such a joy and I believe He is using this time to better equip me to serve.

Blessings,
Joan

Anonymous said...

Susan,
You pegged me this morning... I pray I can retain the quote from Robyn and join you in the journey to of maintaining a "Not-to-do" list. It's hard to decide what to do, and what not to do. There are so many good things out there, but we have to take the time to slow down so we can enjoy the ones the God meant for us - not being overwhelmed by trying to do it all.
Thanks for sharing WFW with us!
Hugs & Prayer, hL
(While I love participating... I think this confirms my thoughts last night - that this week I should just take the time to enjoy everyone's sharings, and not worry about creating my own to share.) ;-)

Amydeanne said...

the "declutter" list lol oh yes! I know that list well!
well done my friend! hugs

Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Susan, GREAT post! And....one I needed to hear this morning. Got up feeling tired....a sweet girl home sick again.....fighting off her cold as well....and already the GUILT of NOT doing this, not doing that (and it's only 7:13 AM!). I think God is telling me something!

Your NOT TO DO list so encouraged me!

Love you dear sister!

Mary said...

Excellent Susan! Why is it that we think we need to do it all? My favorite saying is "Just Say No". It takes practice and much Grace from Jesus. :) Blessings.

Amy said...

Wonderful reminder.
Blessings,
Amy

Runner Mom said...

This is one of the most powerful posts I have read! Thank you sweet girl for this! I love the Scripture. It's going on my fridge today!

Love ya!
Susan

Lisa said...

What a wonderful list - thank you for sharing it. I think most women need to be reminded of those things and unburdened from them.

Thank you for hosting today and for your awesome WFW.

Hugs,
Lisa

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Awh..I LOVE..LOVE...LOVE...LOVE...LOVE..it friend!

You ALWAYS make my <3 smile!

Joyfull said...

Great reminder of what NOT To Do! I love the list with the reminders and encouragement not to add unneeded clutter to our lives. Thanks so much for sharing, many blessings to you!

Christine said...

Thank you for the reminder.

Mary said...

Hey Susan, I'm doing great. Miss you also!! Life is full for sure. I've had to back off of some things to make room for more of Jesus. :) But I'm back now and excited to visit with my bloggy friends. Huge blessings to you dear sister.

April said...

Your words were exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you!

Blessings,
April

Anonymous said...

I love that! How clever and original with a great verse.
Ginger

Cathy said...

A very neat WFW, Susan ~ I need to do lots of de cluttering around here. Blessings ~

lori said...

Okay.....after dealing with YAHOO all morning about the emails I can't get into, this just about HIT me on the head....

“Clutter isn’t only what you can see; it’s what you can’t see. It perpetuates your overloaded schedule, endless commitments and overwhelming fears. A cluttered mind means over-thinking, over-reacting, over-analyzing, over-worrying, and over-committing.”

My mind is over cluttered...worried about things I can't control...
Thank YOU friend for this one! :) I see that my Pastor even put it on his blog...hmmmmm.....you've struck a chord with us today!

LOVE you!

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

Excellent timing on this one for me. I was starting to feel a little stressed with my "to do" list this morning. Now, I'm stepping back and seeing what really needs to be done. Thank you!

Kaye Swain said...

Great words of encouragement for all of us in the Sandwich Generation. Often we are already juggling so many responsibilities, like caring for the elderly relatives in the family and helping with our grandkids. It's hard to say no when it's for good things, but important to remember the difference between good and vital. Thanks, too, for hosting Word-filled Wednesday today :)

annies home said...

I love your list because he gives us strength do do all we need to do but we often have to decide for ourselved through free will what the list should be completed of

Nic said...

I LOVE it! It seems like there is just too much to do and not enough time to do it in. I think I'm going to make a copy of your post today and keep it where I can see it! Thank you! :-)

Carol Lee said...

AMEN and AMEN! This is coming from a person that loves lists, but often feels overwhelmed because I have trouble say no and not! Thank you for some much needed wisdom. I really am glad I found your blog. I'll be back to visit! Thanks for hosting WFW! Blessings~

Maxine said...

Amen, How true. This was a lesson I learned quite a few years ago, and itmade such a difference in my life. Very good point. Very good verse.

Barbara said...

Well yes Praise God for this wonderful Wednesday, and God bless you Susan, so happy to be a part of this, I have special things almost daily, tomorrow is Thankful Thursday. Thank you for hosting!
God Bless you as you serve him.

Teresa @ ♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥ said...

Thanks so much for hosting WFW! Your list is awesome! It really got me thinking today, but in a slightly different direction.

I am very OCD about the clutter in our home. However, due to my illness, I have been homebound and bedridden for about 2 years. I have a hard time physically taking care of myself, not to mention cleaning a fairly large home! I am no longer in a position to ensure that it is always 'spotless' like I used to. This now causes 'clutter' in my brain because it drives me absolutely CRAZY! It also drives my family crazy because I try to encourage them (putting it nicely:o) to clean it the same way I would if I were able and, as you can imagine, it just doesn't happen. LOL!

After reading your post and 'NOT TO DO list', I am going to try even harder NOT TO worry so much about the fact that my home doesn't look like the cover of a magazine every day. I'm going to really, really focus on being thankful that the Lord has blessed me with an amazing husband and 2 beautiful daughters still at home who all love me, take wonderful care of me and have stepped up to do everything that I can no longer do. I need to get over myself and my need for constant perfection. There's only One who is perfect and I need to put my focus on Him.

Thanks for your perspective! Have a fabulous day!

Blessings,

Teresa <><

FamilyVenue said...

Hi Susan, thank you for hosting and for the list! Glad to meet you also! -Angela

Crown of Beauty said...

Susan,
It's been a while since I last visited.

This post is so timely for me.

A not to do list is exactly what I need.

Thank you!

Love
Lidj

luvmy4sons said...

I liked this. Thank you.

LisaShaw said...

Susan,

You have SO BLESSED my heart today with this "Not to do list". As of late the LORD has laid on my heart to take some off line time to give focus to two areas and one of your not to do's jumped out to me and gave me great encouragement in ways I can't express here but just know I appreciate your heart.

I love you and pray GOD's blessings over you and your family.

Jacquelyn Stager said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jacquelyn Stager said...

here I'll try again...sorry. Hello! I came over from Kaye Swaine's blog. Glad to meet you. I'm guilty of everything on your things not-to-do list...LOL I especially appreciate the comments about the cluttered mind. It's so true.