Today I made plans.
Usually I would specify, “I planned a trip” or “I made a meal plan.” Not today!
Today’s plans were both general and specific, as I set up my calendar for the month. One of my favorite monthly routines is to set up my schedule. I also do a smaller version of this each week; I just love putting together the puzzle pieces of my life!
As I set up the month of September with pens ans post-its, I couldn’t help but feel excited for my upcoming plans. First, a holiday. What’s better than starting a month with an extra day off?! Then, lots of meetings, zoom calls, and coffee dates scheduled with people from all different walks of life. This is one of my favorite things about the work I do; spending time with people of varying backgrounds, ages, passions, and industries. If I could just get paid to have coffee meetings with interesting people, I’d be pretty happy!
Next, plans for day trips to DisneyWorld, hosting the Abide Conference for the second year in a row, and visiting family in North Carolina. Plugging these into my calendar always makes me feel grateful. These three events perfectly represent how I’d love to spend my time every month: some fun, some passion, some comfort.
Aside from the actual plans, I also reset my monthly budget and prepared upcoming bills. Some months this is more fun than others. But today I’m reminded how much of a privilege it is to pay bills. What used to feel like a chore has shifted in my mind to be an immense privilege. To have bills to pay is a privilege. To have money to pay them is a privilege. It’s not as glamorous as some of the other privileges we carry, but it is one nonetheless.
I wrapped up my planning session, filling in the holes with miscellaneous to-dos. This time next week I’ll do a miniature version of this set-up, getting the following week organized. Then again the next weekend. And so on and so forth.
One of my favorite quotes is by Henry David Thoreau, “It is not enough to be busy… the question is: what are we busy about?”
Each month’s and week’s planning session reminds me of this. Am I busy with fun, passion, and comfort? Am I busy with what a life lived in obedience to God looks like? What am I busy about?
Today, I ask that question of you. As we settle into a new school routine and a new fall season, what are you busy about? Take some time today to review your schedule. Don’t go crazy, but maybe consider making just 1-2 adjustments for the month.
- Where can you add one more hour of fun to your month?
- Do you have a dedicated time of comfort, whether that’s with family or someone or something else?
- Are your passions accurately reflected in your week?
Choose one thing to add and one thing to remove from your plans this month. Keep it simple. Even last week I had “Pumpkin Spice Latte” written in my calendar as a fun treat for my busy workday.
Today I made plans. Plans for what’s important, and plans for what’s a privilege.
May we enjoy being busy about the things that truly matter.