A positive take on your "to do" list

Often we feel weighed down by our obligations.

The work task that needs completing, the tender to write, the basket of laundry that won’t fold itself, the school application to send, the swimming lesson, another email to answer about next year’s budget.

We sigh. We wish we could whittle down these obligations as our “to-do” list overwhelms us in tandem with life’s demands. We resent the hundreds of “mental tabs” that are simultaneously open calling for our persistent attention.

However, here’s the thing. I believe that resentment is misplaced. If only we can consider our “to do” list as a blessing.

In many ways that list sustains us. These obligations mean that we are useful, competent, relied upon, and a valuable contributor.

There is indeed dignity in work and the fulfilment of purpose. People are meant to pick up heavy loads, both physical and metaphorical, put them down and pick them up again. Too much rest and you’ll rust.

There is indeed something good in simply being asked to be someone of responsibility.

Speak with an elderly person. Hear them talk about how they miss those obligations. How the world now views those obligations as too taxing for them. Beyond their energy and capability. How they now have become the obligations of someone else, like an adult child. The elderly person misses those obligations. They miss the relevance and usefulness that seemingly comes with them.

In my mind, and frankly recent experience, the best kind of obligation is the one where you serve the interests of someone else. Where your effort, your guidance, advice, toil or support is channeled towards the achievement of a goal that is exclusively theirs.?

These obligations are most life affirming when there is nothing obvious in it for you personally. The paradox is on these occasions you seem to take the most from meeting your obligation.

I’ve had the good fortune to fulfil such obligations recently.

The task at hand would take all of my patience. The journey to the destination was a long one. The initial first step was taken with dread. However the simple smile received at completion meant all this faded away in an instant.

I appreciate it’s difficult to do. I openly admit I don’t always view things as “glass half full” as this post suggests, however I am affirmed to try and do so in the future.

It may say “to do” at the top of the list but looking more closely, it’s evidence of? competence and contribution and importantly another opportunity to display them both.

And perhaps, like me, you’ll take more away from completing that obligation than you gave?in actually getting it done.