Friday, July 24, 2020

The Next Right Thing

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  --  Colossians 3:17, NIV

During the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 many people with time on their hands have ramped up their reading.  Recently I finished a book that impacted me, The Next Right Thing -- A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman.

Because of stay-at-home orders and the need to social distance many of us have worked remotely, lost jobs, or simply quit altogether.  We have struggled not only with downsizing our budgets and isolating ourselves from those we love but also with finding motivation to do mundane tasks we would typically delay because of busy schedules.  "Do the next right thing" has become a mantra for me and has helped take the sting out of job-hunting and waiting for an offer.

Doing the next right thing can be as simple as opening the door and walking outside to pluck a few weeds from your garden, or taking a break from TV to put on a load of laundry.  These may not be the things we want to do but when we actually begin to do them, suddenly we find ourselves doing the next right thing, and the next right thing....

It is easy to beat ourselves up over the things we don't accomplish, when in fact it is far better to list the things we have done in the course of a day.  Focusing on what we have done helps eliminate guilt over what we haven't done and gives us the motivation to stay the course.

Since COVID-19 is going to be with us awhile longer, cut yourself some slack.  As you navigate your "new normal," take baby steps and just do the next right thing!


Copyright © 2020 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com

What Next?

“Even when I am old and  gray , do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” ...