lists

So something that has fascinated me in the last few weeks is the idea of making a list of things.  I think that I was inspired initially by my dear Shannon who made a list of things she wanted to do in 2008 and then evaluated it shortly after the new year. . . adding new things that she wants to accomplish in 2009.  

After reading her post, I wanted to come up with my own list.  But lists always discourage me a little bit.  I think it's particularly because 99.9% of the fun for me is in making the list!  Not necessarily in accomplishing any of it.  Last year, as part of the training for SMU, we went through a program called 'Strengths Quest.'  This program is designed to illuminate your top five strengths and help you to begin to utilize these strengths in a work/educational setting.  It's absolutely fascinating.  Here was my top five list of strengths: 

1. Connectedness: I'm pretty good at seeing how everything connects.  I usually spend my time analyzing the connections between different pieces of a larger puzzle.  Sometimes friends get really confused because I try to explain it all to them and it's just too complicated to understand.  

2. Activator: I LOVE to get started.  I'm good at getting started. . . I just need a faithful group of people around me who love to and are good at finishing as well (and will motivate me to finish well too).  

3. Strategic: I can get from point A to point B in a fairly organized and strategized way.  

4. Maximizer: Even if something works well. . . I know it can work better.  Especially systems of organization. . . the problem comes when I start it (activator) and then just poop out because it takes to long to implement or it gets boring.  But I think this is why I love people so much, it's because I see what they can be and I want to help them become that!  

5. Futuristic: Oh man!  This one is good, but it makes the present hard to be content with.  I'm always thinking about the future.  Often to me, the present is only a means to get to the future.  

All that to say, I love making lists, but I'm not very good at sticking to them!  

Last night Shan and I were talking online and she told me about this amazing blog.  The blog is the production of a wonderful artist named Kari Smith.  It's called The Wish Jar and it's absolutely wonderful!  Kari discusses lots of different topics but one of her very favorite past-times is listmaking.  And she doesn't necessarily do everything that's on the list. . . she makes lists for fun!  One of my favorite is called 100 ideas---check it out!  

She's also a beautiful artist who makes wonderful drawings and collages.  Spend a few minutes on her blog today and be inspired!  

Oh. . . and just a hint at what's to come: I'm going to start making lists that I don't necessarily have to accomplish.  I'll keep you posted!