Everyday we encounter events and situations in our lives that leave us wondering what was that, why did that happen?   Then perhaps a light bulb goes off in our head, illuminating the wherefore and why of the situation.

            Unfortunately not everything that occurs in our lives can be explained or perhaps understood, yet we continue to go about our daily lives.   Each day we put one foot in front of the next hoping to make some sense of what has already happened, or what we anticipate to occur.

            Individuals, who live their lives always wondering about why things happen, never really have the opportunity to live their lives in the present.   If you find yourself pondering about the past or being anxious about what is to come, do you not realise that you are not living the moments that are ticking away in the present?

            You will find that when you have a multitude of things to do your mind will race over and over all of the lists floating past your eyes.   Your body will even be very tired, perhaps totally exhausted, but your mind is ticking back and forth like a pendulum.   In instances like this, you are unable to sleep and perhaps will not find the solace of a wonderful deep sleep until you complete those lists.

            So what kind of person is driven to complete tasks or a to-do-list before she can fall into a peaceful slumber?   One would find that individuals, who thrive on being organized and in full command of situations, would usually fit the profile of such a person.

            Trying to be ahead of the game, to be fully prepared and organized are admirable traits.   To have these qualities mentioned about you in a reference letter would definitely set you apart from other applicants seeking to fill the same position.   However, when your need to be so organized hampers with your ability to live in the moment, then you have to ask yourself if it really is such a good quality.

            Perhaps one might look at such a trait or characteristic as one who likes to be in control and most of us should have come to realise that it is not possible to be in control of everything.   More often than not our ability to control can only extend as far as our arms can reach, then we are reaching into someone else’s space, an area we do not have control over, even though we think we may have it.

            A clear example of this happened the other day.   I was allowed to use one of the local high school gymnasiums to host an event.   I was given the keys to open the gymnasium and a contact number in case of an emergency.   So far, all is going well.   I prepared the gymnasium the night before the event to be able to begin on time.

            On the morning of the event I arrived only to find that the front gate was locked.   I had no keys to unlock the gate.   I called my emergency number, but no one answered the phone.   And, it was at that moment that I realised that no matter how much preparation we do, how much sleep we lose trying to cover all the bases, there comes a time when we finally realise that we have no control over anything outside of ourselves.

            Because all that we do or attempt to do usually does not only include ourselves, we are limited in our level of control, which makes it terribly difficult to execute well made plans.   Therefore, at the end of the day, we can make our plans and try to fulfil them as best as we can, but we must still give ourselves the opportunity to live in the present.   This means the nights you cannot sleep because your mind is racing, you must just stop.   Stop and rest your body and your mind will follow.

            This week I challenge you to put a hold on your lists until the next day.   Do not allow your need to be so organized and efficient to stop you from living in the moment.   While you may need to plan and be organized, the lists should not in turn control you.