“Keep your priorities, your priority.”

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and grace by prioritizing what truly matters amidst the complexities of life, using the metaphor of teaching a child to tie shoelaces as an example.

Abstract

In the context of a tumultuous year like "2020," the article "Keep Your Priorities, Your Priority" underscores the significance of maintaining a clear sense of what is most important to us. It draws an analogy between the seemingly simple task of teaching a child to tie their shoelaces and the complex process of prioritizing in our lives. The narrative suggests that prioritizing, whether in mundane tasks or significant life decisions, is a dynamic process that requires us to be mindful and adaptable. By continually asking ourselves what our priorities are, we can align our actions with our values, leading to greater self-compassion and grace. The article encourages reflection on what is unwavering in our priorities, how we maintain those priorities, and the behavioral adjustments we can make to ensure our decisions reflect our true priorities.

Opinions

Prioritizing is an intricate process that often involves juggling multiple decisions and influences.
There is a tendency to feel guilty when we don't live up to our own expectations, but it's important to recognize the priority of the moment.
Priorities are not static; they shift on a pendulum, requiring us to reassess and realign our focus regularly.
Self-compassion and grace are essential elements that may be lacking in our approach to priorities, especially during challenging times.
Reflecting on our priorities can lead to meaningful behavioral adjustments that bring our actions in line with our core values.
The article suggests that maintaining an unwavering priority requires conscious effort and acknowledges the importance of gratitude and light in our journey.

A pathway to self-compassion and grace: two elements that are often shortcomings, especially given… it’s ‘2020’.

Keeping priorities in order, regardless of the obstacles seemingly in the way (Photo by John Thomas on Unsplash)

Have you ever taught a child to tie their shoelaces? It is seemingly simple and yet, completely overwhelming and incredibly time-consuming. If you let them have their moment of success, likely 10 minutes later, you will need to begin the process again as they have not quite mastered what a relatively complex skill is. What is your priority at this moment? It may be getting out the door because you have somewhere to be, or it might be for your child to have the opportunity to hone the skill — in either case; you are doing what is right for you and the child at that moment.

If you are a parent and you completed the task for them, an element of guilt may enter that you overstepped, or the reality might be as simple as “actually, I don’t care.” That’s just it, though. You do care. You cared to prioritize at a particular moment in time because you, unconsciously or consciously, were juggling a multitude of other decisions.

You cared to prioritize at a particular moment in time because you, unconsciously or consciously, were juggling a multitude of other decisions.

When you are faced with complex decisions, like you are the center-point on the tug-of-war rope, ask yourself: what is your priority? The distribution of influence between a “low priority” and a “later priority” is sitting on a pendulum: shifting, flowing, changing. If you continually ask yourself this question, you will find greater meaning and make behavioral adjustments to ensure your decisions and priorities align. I have found that the result is self-compassion and grace: two elements that are often shortcomings, especially given… it’s “2020”.

What are your priorities?

Is there anything unwavering when it comes to your priorities?

What are you doing to keep that unwavering priority at the forefront?

With grace, gratitude, and light, wishing you well.

“Keep Your Priorities, Your Priority.”

A pathway to self-compassion and grace: two elements that are often shortcomings, especially given… it’s ‘2020’.