What Do I Love?
Lists!
I love thinking about them. I love making them. I love organizing them. And I LOVE crossing items OFF of them!
Why am I so enamored by Lists?
Lists quantify and provide a sense of progress and completeness
Lists simplify – breaking down information into easily digestible bite-size chunks
Lists create order in a world which is messy and the amount of information at our fingertips often feels overwhelming
Lists turn a heap of scattered thoughts and ideas into organized mental compartments – heightening our sense of control, helping us take advantage of someone else’s prior sorting and organizing
Humans have been exposed to lists for a very long time.
Think: The Ten Commandments – Moses received them on Mount Sinai between 3200 and 3500 years ago!
Here are two lists you may find interesting. The first one is from an interim principal speaking at a middle school graduation in Millburn, New Jersey. She was sharing with her students – through a list – some guidelines for going forward onto high school. Re-send and share if you like…
Dr. Jill Sack’s Advice
to the Class of 2030
Be Kind to people and to yourself
Surround Yourself with good people who lift you up
Be Creative – use your imagination
Be On Time or early
Have A Positive Attitude
Keep Trying – it’s okay to fail
Don’t Press Send before carefully thinking
Answer when someone says hello
Show Up!
The idea for the next list came right from my nephew’s recent wedding. He and his bride compiled a list of fun facts friends and relatives may not have known about them. It was delightful to read and expanded my appreciation for the marital union that was unfolding.
Last weekend our sons, their wives and significant others and our grandchildren descended on Martha‘s Vineyard to celebrate my husband’s and my 50th anniversary. I copied my nephew Nathan’s idea and came up with some fanciful points of interest about my husband and I – facts I felt my grandkids probably had no knowledge of – facts I would like them to know. And then I printed them on dinner size napkins.
Here’s that list too…
Fun Facts About The Pastor Pair
Born in same hospital 5 days apart – the day she left the hospital, he was born.
In same classroom from 2nd – 5th grade at Bond Hill School.
At the same high school from 10th – 12th grade – he skipped school a lot – she was a goody-goody.
They met up again at their 10th High School Reunion – she then moved back to Cincy with Harry & Frank. He & she were married 1 year later.
The same weekend 2 years later, Max was welcomed into the world. Then Sam. Then Lou.
He went to work learning the appraisal business from Grandpa Pike – she started writing her “Incidentally, Iris” column.
They raised five boys & lived close to their parents: Herb & Hotche & La Bev & Pike.
Bar Mitzvahs, Graduations, Engagements & Marriages ensued – 3 beloved DILs were added to their ranks: Julie, Jenny & Joia.
20 years ago, they moved to Tampa & joyously welcomed Jen & grandkids into their hearts: Sophie, Benjy, Charlie, Bobbie, Lucy, Levi, Remi & Zoe.
He’s now retired. She’s still out there “kicking’ ass”.
They have been married almost 50 years.
Have fun making your OWN list – and passing it on to whomever you wish. The subject matter is endless. And feel free to share with all of us your creative lists too.
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,