Mission of the Month: Prioritize

This post is linked up with Mama Jenn's blog meme, "Mama's Mission of the Month".

I was driving to work a few days ago when I heard the song "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. I've heard it before, but the message didn't sink in. Here are some of the lyrics:

"He said I was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn't
and I became a friend a friend would like to have
and all the sudden going fishin
wasn't such an imposition
and I went three times that year I lost my dad
well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I'd do if I could do it all again"

Life has been really busy lately. Mostly because of work. I could most definitely drop the second job - but it's sort of security in case my first job goes under. (long story) I also homeschool my youngest, drive my daughter to and from school, pick up my son from football practice, go to all his games, have dinner with my parents twice a week, cook dinner most nights, keep things fairly clean, read blogs, watch some television, read some books, and shop a little too much.

So I heard this song and I thought to myself - if I knew I only had a year or two to live, what would I change?

My Mission for the Month of October is to prioritize - what is really important to me? What do I want to show for my life?

Here's what WOULDN'T change:

I would still homeschool
I'd never miss a football game
I'd have dinner with my parents AT LEAST twice a week
I'd read really good books
Watch only my favorite tv shows and read my favorite blogs

Here's what WOULD:

I'd quit one of my jobs
I would not care so much about material things
I'd make arrangements for someone to do part of my "chauffeuring"
I'd watch less television and be on the Internet less

and here is what I would ADD:

I would spend more time in nature - walking, taking pictures, drawing
I would do family read alouds
We'd do family movie nights
I would go to church regularly and participate in the extra activities with my kids
I'd listen to music more
I would make time to write - I've always wanted to and I keep saying I will return to it after the kids are grown

This is most definitely not an all-inclusive list - but making it made me realize where my life is tilted, towards work and money and tv/Internet.

So I'll be making some changes. This mission will probably take up the entire month. I still haven't figured out what I am going to do about work - but one change I've made already is that I have plans to check out two local churches. I haven't had a home church since I've moved and need to find one!

Have a great October!

Sherry