On a Sunday, before I was fully awake, my mind focused on the word, priorities. As I began to dress, a deluge of priority ideas prompting some quick note-taking caused me to wonder whether that subject was in-the-running for April’s blog. Kay would be picking me up soon, so I needed to keep moving.
As I buckled in, I could hardly wait to ask her, “What comes to your mind with the word, priorities?” “Priorities override routine”, was her quick response, to which I added, “Oh, good point! That confirms a follow-up blog for Reassessing Routine”.
“We’re picking up Wendy”, she said, “then several teenagers in town”, but first, we need to stop by Dunkin to get a donut I ordered for William’s breakfast.” I hadn’t even noticed her grandson, William--my great-grandson--in the back seat. I greeted William, then remarked to Kay, “What you just planned is a perfect example of priority; your foremost routine being overridden by a donut for William.”
Later that week when I asked a doctor-friend the same question, his eyes lit up, he raised his hands and said: “Priorities! that’s me! My whole life. Yes! first things first! I love it!” I was duly convinced.
How often do we use the idiom “First things first?” on ourselves and declare it to others? Routines, although the nuts and bolts of daily treks, they are constantly overridden by planned and unplanned priorities paving the way for better ideas, options and solutions that enhance and balance our lives.
Informal Google Research: First things first. An overriding priority is not just one of many priorities, it’s the one that takes precedence and should be followed. Get your priorities right or straight; establish a new set of priorities, identify your priorities, top priority, something you do first because it is more urgent than other things on your list. Safety remains top priority. Quality of life is the most important priority.
Since sleep affects the heart, getting seven to eight hours should be a priority. No whims should take. No whims should take priority over learning. learning. Keep working on a priority as long as you are able.
Comparing the simple and time-saving rhythm-routines with the much stronger priorities, reminds me of the old expression: “Anything to keep one’s train on the tracks”, considering not only definite relief factor, but in many cases cherished memories. Planned priorities demand a careful look to another unrelated responsibility as well latching on to dreams involving touring other states, countries, changing jobs, or pursuing an education, skill, etc. which some, if not all, can eventually become realities. Unplanned priorities pop up when something important has been remembered, or via phone calls or emergencies.
Another way to understand/appreciate the importance of priorities is dividing them into two categories:
1. Dream-based and/or planned. Parental assignments, or fulfilling what a boss expects his employees to accomplish. At one time, I worked as secretary to the manager as well as to five other men who had their gasoline routes. I didn’t know what to call it then, but as I look back, all day long I was taking typing orders from each one with priorities changing all through the day depending on who was coming in to the office or going out of the office. I became skilled at flipping priorities--first things first, then, take care of other things after that. A managerial sort of arrangement. Parenting also demands this.
Some use the goal-posts analogy, skillfully striving forward achieving goals and ambitions. A mother’s devotional this week about her son illustrates this well. When as young as 8, he said that he wanted to be a marine biologist. That dream never left him, and today that is indeed what he has become.
2. Emergency-based—dealing with pop-up situations up as they happen or when life comes crashing down with little time to act. Like the morning on my way to the basement, I stepped into inches of water. Jim’s, impromptu and impulsive priorities immediately kicked in, and in jiffy time, he had the six of us organized in mopping water together, and happily. This is when APB --All-Points-Bulletin applies, perfectly describing Priorities showering our lives with versatile, wise, quick decisions also creating memories.
From Jim, whose God-designed lifestyle preference was Thinking (Head-logic) and Structured, with a balance of outdoorsman spontaneity, I learned the wisdom of breaking routine for a-just-for-fun involvement. It was easier for him to ‘pencil-in’ something fun before work was done, which was good for our four and me. He was physically and emotionally well-prepared for pastoral emergencies, which occurred often, and the need to quickly switch priorities. He never complained about Emergency Room and house calls in the middle of the night. However, he was always pleased when I was free to accompany him to homes or for hospital visits. He said I could always think of what to say. That’s why we worked so well as a team.
A friend’s excellent response to how priorities has benefitted his life follows: Applying unplanned priorities to marriage and family responsibilities across the years to unknown needs is expressed very well by the following contribution: I’ve wondered about long term relationships that start as opposites and over time meet in the middle. I believe when we are young our priority/need in relationships is about parents and teachers helping us learn about life and how to grow up. In midlife our priorities change to a relationship/marriage of choice and with an opposite because somehow, we instinctively know that parenting and raising a family is best accomplished with an opposite so we can cover anything that comes up.
Then in the later part of our life when we no longer have parenting responsibilities, we have time to look for ways to improve our couple-relationships. And that is why long-term relationships of opposites can survive. Because both move their priorities toward their partner, finding that comfortable place in the middle, they can be assured that a Spontaneous Intuitive Thinker and a Structured Sensing Feeler can set new priorities which suit both. W.
Establishing priorities is, should be, could be: gratifying and heartwarming. But many of us can point to decisions that saved lives, improved relationships, and fulfilled ambitions. Life is hard, but life is also meaningful and fulfilling. Often, it’s the little things which mar/destroy friendships, but understanding, caring and loving others tops the list, just like I Cor. 13—the love chapter—directs.
As managing necessities and/or opportunities land in our laps, asking God for help in giving His wisdom and understanding as we establish or at least honor priorities that fulfill helping ourselves or someone else regarding welfare is of utmost importance. A great ministry is helping another—young or older– learn how to set wise priorities.
With the blog almost completely finished, I still didn’t have a title that clicked. After running my subject matter across Mac’s mind for a title, his suggestion of APB, said nothing to me until he explained, “Rather than ABC’s of life, use APB’s which stands for All Points Bulletin—an important message used by newspapers.” I was completely satisfied. One is never too old to learn something new.
For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col. 1:16-b:17 NIV.
Now may the God of peace…equip you in every good thing to do His will. Heb. 13:20-21
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out…Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Rom. 11:33-36 (NIV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgement. 2Tim 1:7
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out…? Come to me…I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matt: 11:28-30 (MSG).
FB: Have you discovered the significance of planned and unplanned priorities that insure an interesting, safe, productive and balanced life?