Blessed not stressed

I long for an organised mind - one that decides what to do and follow it through in a planned, ordered  fashion. This would be especially useful on a day when there is too much to do for the time I can stay awake in 24 hours.

Take today, well yesterday as I’m writing this on the 14th. My main focus was to sort out my website which has disappeared completely leaving a ghost of a recently renewed domain name in its wake. All attempts to revive it have failed so I am hunting down the most magnificent, no suitable, site that I can afford which will let me use my present domain name for little or no charge. 

I was moderately focused this morning apart from needing a great deal of coffee, having a pile of washing which had to be done, walking the dog around the garden a few times and being distracted by other important tasks. Some of them even more urgent than the website. Like this blog and preparing for a meeting tomorrow plus getting keys and instructions to feed my neighbours’ cat while they are away. 

All this against a background of trying to sort out a resolution to a crisis, having to cancel various commitments because of a hospital visit and arranging a lovely day out despite rail replacements. 

Eventually I became a little frazzled. This may have been because some of the videos I’ve watched today about website building are slightly beyond my sphere of comprehension. Or, more probably I was simply overwhelmed.

At times like this I resort to pen and paper and try to map out priorities. I know I should do this before I start, but I tend to rush ahead with enthusiasm. The result of writing my plans down is very like the photo at the head of this blog. Don’t look at it too closely because up until ten minutes - no let’s be honest - nearly an hour ago, it was mere pencil scribbles as I tried to get everything down. I’m not sure why I decided to colour code it - but it was quite relaxing. And a much needed diversion.

(By the way if you are imagining I am off to Los Angeles on Saturday, you are mistaken. A trip to the London Aquarium is planned with granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Much, much better!)

I wrote ‘PRAY’ and I stopped for a moment or two and did just that. I had been sort of praying earlier in the way of expecting God to do it for me, ‘Oh God, let me find the right website.’ But this time I really prayed and thanked God for all the things on my chart and all the privileges I take for granted. 

Then I ticked off all I had achieved today, despite my disorganisation. And stuck on a sticker that said ‘Too blessed to be stressed.’

I am blessed and I know that it won’t be a disaster if the website isn’t up and running by 23rd which is the date by which I ‘desperately’ needed it. Nor will it matter if our journey to London involves a coach trip in the middle. As for the dog - if she has her food and bed she will be fine with the carer. I shall remember to feed my neighbours’ cats and now have the key and instructions. It will be wonderful to see family, and I thank God for them. 

Everything else will be resolved in time - and time belongs to the Lord.

Annie Try writes novels for adults and young adults. Her latest published book for YA is The Dangerous Dance of Emma JJ’ published by Kevin Mayhew. She has two more YA novels in their final stages. She loves speaking at events and running workshops on writing and psychology.