Who said a Saturday homework had to be a pittance? We all know how easy it is to put off things that need to be done and how tempting it is to do the easy things instead of the ones that require more energy or concentration. Well, I had one of those days recently when I would rather do anything else, from a long list of farm chores, than put shingles on the old wooden shed.
But, this Saturday, the sun, clouds and breeze combined to create the perfect day for outdoor tasks. It’s funny, I often find myself choosing those tasks that can be done with relative ease rather than tackling something that requires concentration, that requires more diligence than I want to extend. Some say you should prioritize by dividing all items into three stacks where the first ordered list is more important than the next. And then take your time and focus on what’s most important, or which list gives you the most return on your time investment.
It’s all well and good to make this list of priorities, but it’s not always the importance that your devotion finds. I had woodshed shingles on my high priority list for some time, but never seemed to be tempted to do so. However, there are some tasks that rise to the top of the immediacy heap due to other factors. One of these factors, in my case, was the weather.
The remnant of a tropical storm made its way towards us in two days. And I knew that if I stopped putting off shingles any longer, I’d find myself trying to do it when another job would take up all my time. So, I got up early, put on my work boots, and gathered my tools and supplies. What a fantastic day. The climate was ideal for working outdoors on our rural property; no suffocating humidity, no black flies and just a few mosquitoes to buzz around.
I was delighted to find that my shingles was stimulating; the fresh air, the comforting and refreshing breeze, and the sense of accomplishment when each row of shingles fell into place perfectly. And, after just a few hours, I stepped back and saw the finished project. I sat for a minute admiring my tile work and wondered why I had put off this task for so long. Interestingly, I also thought about how many things in life we stop doing to the point where all we’ve accomplished is creating more stress by not acting, by not addressing the things that need to be done.
