The To-Done List
If you want to hear God laughing, tell him your plans.
A variation of that line shows up in at least a couple of country music songs, but you don’t need to listen to country or even feel one way or the other about God to understand its message. Even our best-laid plans can get thrown into the food processor of life, but that doesn’t mean we stop making them, right? We merely need to learn how to adapt and revise said plans, then hang on for the knuckle-whitening ride.
Whether it’s having dinner locally with friends, or dining with your Person in Paris, making plans is an important part of living this life. I mean, without a plan, we’d all end up on the couch, reading some dude’s incessant blog posts, or binge-watching The Big Bang Theory, you know? And while these are both worthy plans, let’s dive a bit deeper. Heck, I have a hard enough time getting anything done with a plan. I can only imagine the sheer depth of sloth-like procrastination I’d experience without one!
Of course, making a list is essential to planning, and trust me, I am the king of lists! I heard advice from Alexa recently suggesting I make a “done” list rather than a “to-do” list, since having a bunch of tasks to complete drags us down, whereas a crossed-out list of accomplishments gives us energy. The problem is, without a list, I have no idea what to finish, in order to create said encouraging “done” list…sigh.
So, that brings me back to making lists. Check out these beauties currently residing on my wicked smaht phone:
Groceries.
Self-explanatory, I know, but the wrinkle here is that I also add things I need to pick up at the hardware store, office supply store, and even random numbers and measurements I might need for a project. Maybe I need to rename it “Catch-All” or “Junk-Drawer”? No, then I’d forget to get the eggs…
Story ideas.
This is a long one, since ideas come to me all the time. And, hey, some of them are even good!
Some of the titles in my upcoming short story collection began their life on this list.
And pro tip for you: Be sure to add some detail to a story idea, since I have no idea why I wrote some of them down. “The Other Shoe” and “Shifting Embers” are two that fit that category. What was I drinking when I wrote those down? Oh, well, I’ll figure something out.
Blog post ideas.
Similar to the “story ideas” list, though filled with topics more suited to shorter pieces.
And I’m sure you’d like to see me stop adding to this one, but no chance, baby!
To-Do list.
See also: never-ending list, source of depression list, and holy-crap-just-make-it-stop-list.
Spring & winter to-do lists
Feeble attempt at segregating the massive to-do list into more “manageable” seasonal lists. Bahahahahaha! Stupid brain.
Summer to-do list.
No, this is not another way to fool said stupid brain, but rather a list of cool things to do in the summer, which, of course, is never possible, due to the preceding lists.
Movies to watch.
Long list meant to shorten the (choose your streaming service here) daunting selection process on a weekend night when you just want to relax and watch a good flick.
And of course, this list is almost as long as the “suggested for you” list on any of those hundreds of streaming services, so we end up with the same paralysis, resulting in us with an empty popcorn bowl and watching silly cat videos on our phones.
Memories.
Started this a couple of years ago, to preserve and think back fondly on some of my life’s cherished moments.
Okay, gonna stop this one right here, before I cry.
Note to all.
It’s a list of things I wanted to convey in a letter to my family, regarding life, loss, and perseverance.
This list led me to writing and publishing Carry On, my companion booklet guide that might just help you to thrive in this struggle we call life. Now on Amazon!
I guess I can take this off my list of lists. I’ll add that to my to-do list, yeah, that’s it!
Good to Great.
This is full of notes from a motivational audiobook by the same name I listened to a few years back. At the time, all those notes made profound sense and spurred me into action… Well, I made a list of now indecipherable nonsense, anyway.
Jimmy Fund Walk.
Started this one to keep track of what items to bring to help me complete the 27.5-mile route in 2024. Good thing I saved it, since I’m doing the same route in 2025! And both walks are dedicated to my wonderful stepdaughter April in support of her fight!
If you’re of a mind to donate, please scan this code:
Party contest ideas.
Ongoing list of fun challenges to complete at family parties, and some are doozies!
Frozen t-shirt contest. So much fun watching folks try to unfold a frozen shirt, then put it on before anyone else. Perfect for a hot day!
Oreo stacking contest. Oreos + chopsticks + time limit = delicious hilarity!
Head, knees, hips, butt, cup contest. One must grab each one when called upon, with being the last person to possess the cup as the ultimate goal…well other than getting to say “butt” repeatedly, tee hee!
Wordle.
Maybe you play this game online daily with your friends, but do you also catalog each day’s winner, in alphabetical order, noting how many guesses it took, and the date, complete with exclamation points? Do you? No, I didn’t think so. I really need to get a life.
SIN list.
Oh, yeah. You know what this one is about, heh-heh…
Okay, it’s really another way to say the dreaded “bucket list” in a nicer, more actionable way. Someday Is Now.
How many times have you said “someday” I’ll do this, or “someday” we’ll see that? If you’re anything like me (God help you) you’ve said something like this way too many times.
So, make a list of things you want to do, then do them! They can be simple things or once-in-a-lifetime things, but if you don’t act on this list, “someday” will pass you by.
And here are a few of my SIN list items, in case you need inspiration:
Get a novel published (done! That Moment on Amazon).
Build the Lego Death Star (Also done, and amaze-balls!)
Visit baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown.
Go to the Lego birthplace in Denmark.
Can’t wait to see those adorable little bricklings!
Climb Mount Washington on my Harley.
Thanks for adding “read Dave’s blog” to your weekly list. I hope it’s made you smile, laugh, and think. Most of all, may it serve as motivation to never give up on your dreams, and to always listen to your heart, since it rarely steers you wrong, if you pay attention. Now, get out there and do some SINning, people!
And, until you check this duty off next week, whatever you are, be a good one!
-Dave
