I remember being blown away by the Franklin Covey presentation where the presenter took a pile of rocks, gravel, pebbles, and sand, and then asked a volunteer to fit them all into a plastic container. When the volunteer started with the sand, the rest wouldn't fit, but when the rocks were placed in first, everything fell into place (with some liberal shaking). I have since seen this idea replicated by multiple organizations (usually with adding water—and sometimes beer: “There's always room for beer.”), but the analogy still holds true. The rocks represent the important things in life (our family, our dreams, travel), the gravel represents our obligations (our job, family commitments), the pebbles represent our leisure or down-time, and the sand represents our day-to-day emergencies. If we only focus on the day-to-day stuff, we can't fit in the parts of our life that are more important; however, if we focus on, and plan for, our dreams, we can fit in everything (or almost everything) else.

My school, at the time they sent us to this presentation (which, by the way, was the second-best professional development session that I have ever attended), also purchased Franklin planners for the entire staff. I loved using mine. It was while using mine that I wrote two of my screenplays and the lion's share of my novel while still juggling my multiple obligations. When I was at my best, I would check it every night (usually while watching an evening show), filling in my accomplishments from the day and writing in my tasks for the next. It made me more aware of how I was using my time.

Unfortunately, due to financial issues, I stopped purchasing the yearly inserts and then stopped using the binder. I have tried using different apps since then, but to much lesser effect. I know that I shouldn't need to use a specific product to accomplish what is essentially a simple idea, but there was something about the format and quality of those pages that made using it more pleasurable (and that made me feel guilty when I didn't use it).

Truthfully, I have been a bit adrift these past few years. My time is being filled with pebbles and sand. I haven't worked on a major piece of writing in several years. I need to take better charge of my life again and stop merely reacting to events as they occur.

… I think that I might be talking myself into getting another year's insert.

Singing
I love singing, which is one of the main reasons why I joined my church choir and endeavored to learn the guitar (so I can accompany myself).  We have a concert coming up a week from tomorrow at my church (St. Mary Star of the Sea) in which I have a bit of a duet that I am excited about.  However, in the past two weeks, singing has also caused a couple of dilemmas for me as well.  

The first is that I was given another solo (not for the concert).  While I love singing solos and so accepted without hesitation, I was reminded by my mother that this solo used to be performed by one of our other choir members.  Now, I hope that I was given the solo because that choir member had already alerted our choir director that he would not be at the mass where we are singing this particular song, but I am concerned that I may have offended him by so quickly taking a role that had been his.

The second is that I was asked if I would join an additional choir that meets up to three times a week at the Cathedral in Lansing.  This group meets primarily for the joy of singing intricate pieces of music with perhaps one concert in the spring.  I am flattered at being invited, but I know I won't have the time for such a commitment (especially if I start working towards a doctorate).  Part of me, though, has been wanting to sing in more than church's choir.  I hope that I will have the opportunity (and the voice) to sing more when I do have more time.

These aren't major dilemmas, just thoughts I've had.

On my main page, I mention that I created this blog with the intention of writing at least once a week.  Like many of my intentions, I have not really fulfilled this one.  I have several started writings that I haven't finished, and some ideas that I both want and fear to write, that have been holding me back.  Since I'm not teaching a Saturday class this term (or the next, or the next after that), I figured I could use the relative quite of my Saturday mornings to try and accomplish what I originally set out to do.  That said, here are a few thoughts from this week:

Advent Concert
On December 1st, my church (Saint Mary Star of the Sea) is hosting its annual advent concert.  I have a bit of a duet in one of the songs and I would like for those friends and family who can to attend.  It is usually a gorgeous concert, its free (although I believe donations are accepted), and there is a banquet of cookies and brownies once it is over.

Evil's Existence Proves That God Is Good
I have been in a debate this week about the nature of God.  The argument of my debate partner is that if God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and that nothing can exist outside of the will of God, then if evil exists, God must also be evil.  My answer is that the existence of evil proves that God is good.  First, death and suffering are not themselves evil (evil forces have simply been trying to convince us that they are).  Evil is determined by intent.  God's intent is pure good, thus God is good.  More so, God's two greatest gifts to His creation is life and free will.  Being all-powerful, he could force His will upon us and only allow good to occur, but that would destroy His own gift (an evil act).  Instead, the fact the we have the free will to choose between good and evil intents proves that He is the ultimate good.  The expression "If you truly love someone, then you will set that person free" holds true in this argument.  God does not want mindless devotion.  He wants us to return His love, but is not going to force us to that conclusion.  Instead, He patiently waits for us and guides those who ask until the end of the endless when we join with His angels in the eternal Alleluia.

Handyman
My parents just received a new oven, microwave, and refrigerator (which all look great in their redesigned kitchen).  Unfortunately, the cabinet around the refrigerator does not give quite enough clearance and the microwave needs to be installed above the oven.  Concerned that the installation fees are too high, my parents would ask if I would do it.  When I first looked at the job, I was set to tell them to have the professionals look at it, but my hero-complex activated and I told them I would do it.  I am heading over a little later today; we'll have to see how it goes.

Comcast
Comcast raised my bill by more than $20 a month (granted, the "more than" is due to taxes) for a monthly total of over $150.  I have become accustomed to my DVR and having access to shows like Downton Abbey and Dr. Who, but my main options (as told to me by Comcast) currently are: keep the same services at this higher price (which was a little too high even before the price increase ), take a promotion which will give me more channels (including HBO) and faster internet (double the speed) for the same price but will increase by another $20 in another year, or remove some of my services.  I planned on dropping Comcast entirely, but have since discovered that they are the ONLY high speed internet service available to our neighborhood (with the exception of satellite which does not provide the upload speeds I need).  I am still unsure which way I am going to go on this one.