50 Days to 50
DAY 28: Five-finger living
During this journey to 50 I’ve re-evaluated what are the most important areas of my life to focus on in a given day. With a large family and good works in the mix, I struggle at times to truly know, at a given moment, where my energy should be best applied.
To alleviate more mother guilt than is absolutely necessary, and to keep myself balanced as a woman, wife, and mother, I returned to my “Five Finger Living.” Only this time I adjusted a few of them.
In the past, and by finger (including thumb…), each day I have done something for:
God, Ministry, Family, Home, and Service.
Recently, my adjustments were slight but meaningful. For example, I changed “Me” to “Ministry”. Although that word is often associated with a southern religious fervor, for me it means Personal Purpose. I took Sheri Dew’s question to heart, which was, “How would your life change if you thought of it as a personal ministry?” I’ve seen for myself that it does change. I’m more aware of others, their needs, and how I can wisely assist or guide in filling them. It has changed what I focus on and how fulfilled I feel. Each day I’m not just checking off a list, I’m progressing in a purpose.
Another adjustment was to add “Home” as its own category. Because of the world we live in, I’ve found it doesn’t work to lump home into family. That running a smooth, organized (attempted), Christ-centered, loving (mostly), inviting, happy home takes even more focus and energy than before. Hence, it has received its own glorious digit.
That’s it: God, Ministry, Family, Home, and Service. It’s a simple way for me to remember what matters most, and to ask myself, have I done them today?
So a typical day might look like this:
God: read scripture text and discovered a meaningful Ponderize verse.
Ministry: post about the realities and divinities of motherhood
Family: do a one-on-one time with a child
Home: declutter the seasonal closet
Service: take pumpkin marshmallow body lotion to a neighbor because I’m thinking about her
Simple. And yes, I typically do more than one thing in each area. However, the gift is that I can easily look at my hand and check that I’ve truly focused on and filled those areas that matter most. When I put my head on the pillow, I ignore the thoughts of what remains to be done and rejoice in having filled the essential buckets, drop by drop.
Five-fingered living—maybe give it a try!
Now it’s your turn:
What are the five most important areas of your life?
What are one-word reminders you can use for them?
What is one way you can fulfill an area today?
Happy Journey!
Connie
