Priority

Kimba knows two speeds.  One of them is to stop and doze.  He can be sharp, attentive, and playful.  When he is not, it is time to doze, drift off, and retreat into cat dreamland.  I do not always see the change coming.  In a moment that followed a hyperactive exchange, I turned and caught him retreating to a secluded spot where he could enjoy the sun and the darkness with relative isolation.    
 
Today begins with sunlight and reflections slowly playing out on the nearby building under construction.  The workers have had their rest time.  Everyone on the jobsite is focused on taking a step forward towards the goal of finishing the building.  Life’s whispers use the scene to offer a few guideposts for my day ahead.
 
Each moment is an opportunity for care and intent to come together for a result.  I am not in the business of living to demonstrate what fashion looks like.  Life reminds me that it is about work, results, learning, and growth.  Old advice rings true.  “Don’t knock yourself out being good, and don’t go overboard being wise. Believe me, you won’t get anything out of it.” (Ecclesiastes 7.16). Everything is about doing something with what I know.
 
Preparation is essential for living.  One does not show up at a job site unprepared.  Hard hats, safety vests, and proper attire have their role.  Equally, so does rest!  Investing in one’s preparation to act is as important as the action itself.  Rest, reflection, and learning all play a role in making the moment I have a great one.  I can make a difference when I make good decisions, respond to the opportunities that present themselves, and bring my heart and soul to the moment.  
 
Priorities are recorded in my story by the time and attention I devote to them.  Priorities are not just things I do for show.  Most of the time, nobody is watching.  My priorities reflect my care and attention to myself, followed by life and living.  There are no shortcuts, no condensed versions.   
 
It’s my time to live.