Yesterday, we considered the patterns that repeat
without helping us move forward. But even when
we escape those loops, another problem remains.
There is always more we could do than we have
time to do it. I think we all feel the stress
of the many voices calling our name. Everything
seems to arrive in one unsorted pile. In computing,
a sorting algorithm arranges items according
to a rule. Words might be placed in alphabetical
order, or appointments might be organized by
date. Packages might be sorted by destination.
The algorithm cannot determine what first means
until someone gives it a standard. Our lives
also require a way of deciding what comes first.
When we do not choose that standard consciously,
Certainly other forces will choose it for us.
The loudest request receives our attention, I
think if we're honest. The newest message feels
most important. The easiest task gets completed
while the meaningful but difficult ones are postponed.
Yes, urgency is sometimes real. If my child is
sick, I should rearrange my day. Many things
present themselves as urgent simply because they
are immediate or measurable or they're a notification
on my computer. So what matters most is not always
what calls the loudest. We might say that family
matters, but we may not give our family attention
they need during the day. We may value friendship,
but we may postpone getting together. We might
believe that rest and prayer, creativity and
service are important, but then we only do it
if we have time. So this does not mean we are
dishonest. It just simply means that we sort
our days by demands that we sometimes do not
deliberately choose. Our talents cannot perfectly
represent our values. Sometimes responsibilities
require us to spend long hours on things we would
not freely choose. I know I have been there.
So meaningful living is not achieved by constructing
an ideal schedule and refusing every interruption.
But our use of time can still reveal patterns
worth noticing. So today, take a look over your
last week. Try not to judge yourself. But just
be curious. If someone saw only how you spent
your time, what would they conclude matters most
to you? Do you think that resembles what you
believe matters most? And if the answer is no,
don't try to reorganize your entire life, but
maybe choose one modest correction. Try to protect
a little time for a person or a practice. or
responsibility that matters, but something that
you have been crowding out of your life. A meaningful
life may not begin by doing more, but by allowing
something more important to come first.