Urgency and Importance

I haven't been writing much lately, but I was inspired to write this post today.

Back in college, I was given a little booklet of an article by Charles Hummel called Tyranny of the Urgent. Honestly, I never read it but the title frequently comes back to me. I know that the idea of the article is that the "urgent" often crowds out what is important.

Today, I had plans to clean my playroom/schoolroom. This has been a project long in the making. Sometimes, the room gets to usable condition, but it has never been fully organized and it always slips back to cluttered. I have made a couple of strides recently and want to keep going, so I was going to give it some attention and had set a goal to complete two aspects of the organizing.

Then, I was asked to host a group at the last minute. I was happy to be asked and to host.

The focus of our housekeeping changed for the day. Suddenly it became "urgent" to tidy up the downstairs and deep clean the bathrooms. Plans for the playroom went out the window -- and we won't be able to reschedule until next week. Oh, well.

Did the urgent overtake the important? In terms of housekeeping, yes. I really do want that playroom ready and need to prioritze the work on it. (Then again, hosting that meeting and helping out the group was important, too. Urgent vs. important is not always that clear cut I guess.)

I do wonder how often maybe I set aside important things, spiritually, emotionally, relationally in favor of the urgent. Something to keep in mind.


How has the "urgent" "tyrannized" you?

Song for Sunday: The Long Run

On Monday I posted that I had set a goal to run half a mile without stopping. Well, I did it!!

So to celebrate, today's "Song for Sunday" is The Long Run by the Eagles.

I know, I know. A half mile isn't a long run, but I feel like I have accomplished something … and onto one mile by the end of this week!!

Here's the song:

I used to hurry a lot, I used to worry a lot 
I used to stay out till the break of day 
Oh, that didn't get it, 
It was high time I quit it 
I just couldn't carry on that way 
Oh, I did some damage, I know it's true 
Didn't know I was so lonely , till I found you 
You can go the distance 
We'll find out in the long run 
(in the long run) 
We can handle some resistance 
If our love is a strong one (is a strong one) 
People talkin' about is 
they got nothin' else to do 
When it all comes down we will 
still come through 
In the long run 
Ooh, I want to tell you, it's a long run 
You know I don't understand why you don't 
treat yourself better 
do the crazy things that you do 
'Cause all the debutantes in Houston, baby, 
couldn't hold a candle to you 
Did you do it for love? 
Did you do it for money? 
Did you do it for spite? 
Did you think you had to, honey? 
Who is gonna make it? 
We'll find out in the long run 
(in the long run) 
I know we can take it 
if our love is a strong one 
(is a strong one) 
Well, we're scared, but we ain't shakin' 
Kinda bent, but we ain't breakin' 
in the long run 
Ooh, I want to tell you, it's a long run 
in the long run 
in the long run, [etc.]

                                                                                 ~Don Henley and Glen Frey

Blessings on your day!!

Running

I have set a fitness goal -- my first in years.


I have decided that by the end of this week I will be able to run a 1/2 mile without stopping and that by January 31st I will be able to go a mile.


Why?

The impetus is that I have decided to participate in a physically demanding weekend-long activity. I figure I should be in shape. Well, as far as I can get to that point between then and now.


So I'll run slightly further each day: made it two and a half blocks today! I'll do a little weight training, too. Hopefully, I'll be more fit and that will motivate me to get even more fit and so on. Then I'll have more energy, get more done, feel better generally.


How about you?


Have you tried any new fitness regimens lately?


 Or made a goal that you're working on step by step?