Monday, August 16, 2010

Peeling My Eyes OFF the Prize

Do you like setting goals? Do you usually have a "to-do" list hanging around? How much satisfaction do you get from crossing things off your list? (I've been known to add things to my list after I've done them - just so I can cross them off.)
I'm pretty goal-oriented. For a while last fall right before I signed with my agent, I went through a time when the horizon became fuzzy and my goals weren't clear. Hated that. Now I want a publisher to say "yes" to all the work I and my agent have done. But, you know, that's a goal I really don't have a lot of say in. That kind of goal isn't much fun, is it?
Then this morning I found this phrase about some folks, "Who have set their hearts on pilgrimage." They are even called, "Blessed". I don't know about that. Sure, I totally believe in appreciating the journey, seeing the sights, taking my time - as long as I'm headed in the right direction.
I blogged last November ( http://kayshostak.blogspot.com/2009/11/headed-south-on-saturday-we-left-main.html ) about taking the "Road Less Traveled" - however I can tell you with certainty that if that detour had ended up taking us in the opposite direction of Panama City, the blog would have sounded a tad different.
So the idea of setting my heart on the pilgrimage instead of the end goal is not that appealing to me. And yet. . . the same passage in Psalms 84 says about these folks, "They go from strength to strength." That, I like.
Can I do it? Can I set my heart and hopes and dreams on the journey instead of the outcome?
Can you?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG, I totally do that too (add them just so I can cross them off). I thought I was the only one on the planet who would do that. LOL.

Kay Dew Shostak said...

It's good to have company, Lynn!