What’s your to-do list looking like? Is there a long roster of tasks to finish, calls to make, Zooms to attend, and projects due? Are there deadlines and beginnings, check-ins and follow-ups, and everything else in between? It's cool that you’re busy, but is there anything for you on that list?
This isn’t a blurb about “get rid of your to-do lists and be free!” Nah, capitalism wouldn’t have it that way. But what this is about is that I’ve started another “to-do” list, and it’s titled What do I need to thrive today? It’s got simple entries like “burn incense,” “listen to new music,” “drink more tea,” “set an intention before rising from bed,” and “learn the informal word or phrase for ‘thrive’ in Japanese.”
That’s it. That’s the to-do list. Silly, right?
Nope. I’m taking these things seriously. They come first in my day, before work or anything else. Since I’ve started this (let’s keep it real, it was this Monday), my days this week have started off on better feet. Getting started has long been a challenge for me, and I bet I’m not alone—getting started isn’t about knowing what to get started on, it’s about having the tools to start in the first place. That’s what my therapist said, so you know, take it as you will.
This Thursday’s stories may not be about getting started or knowing what you need to thrive, but they are insightful pieces that look at the whole process, which is really just a whole bunch of starts mashed together. POOL starts this week, but if it didn’t have the tools, the timely exhibit wouldn’t have happened thanks to Hurricane Ida last year. The Philadelphia Ballet wants to launch fireworks with its upcoming show, and it sounds like the folks involved put plenty of work in thriving in their own process. The weekly roundup also offers a handful of chances to see beyond the start of things, too.
So yeah, consider making a list of how to thrive daily. Add that task to your regular to-do list so you don’t forget. And hey, if that just sounds corny, that’s cool with me. I’m just sharing.
