Amen, brother. For a great deal of my life, I read the “personal development” literature and was of the mind that if I weren’t pursuing some goal, I was being lazy. There really are such things as “toxic productivity” and “toxic positivity.” That said there are worthy things to shoot for such as building up a down payment for the purchase of a safe home for one’s family. Paying down debt. Bettering one’s health, or addressing a major health concern. And working toward discipline in a prayer rule, more Bible reading and so on are not unworthy goals. But as the epistle of James says “If the Lord wills.” For myself—and I don’t remember when this shift occurred—I transitioned from goals to habits. What habits do I need to break, to add, to improve? And it does mean, yes, I write down the same things again and again. I suppose it’s the difference between have, be, do, and I’m orienting more to the be. For example, yes, I want to publish many novels. And I believe that is within God’s will. And if I may be so bold, I think he’d be happy with me accomplishing that. So, I’ve “cast a vision,” as the kids say, and put down various goals to that end. But I hold the outcome loosely. Because the joy, for me, is in the writing. The one thing that I will say about goal setting is the danger is attaching ourselves to this material world. I suppose if I were to create a “vision board,” the most material thing that would be on it would be a book on a shelf, or being read by someone. But I could also put things on there like a mocked up NYT bestseller list with my book on it. Or dollar signs, Pulitzer Prize, a movie rights contract and a picture of some big Hollywood star, etc. That is what makes me uncomfortable about such things. Because the bottom line, if being a published novelist is bad for my salvation, a loving God would get in the way, and hinder me. He might even make a jackass talk to me.
Your very last point is something it took me 50 years to accept. You think of God as a father. A helper. Don’t fathers help and guide you? Isn’t this or the noble thing you want objectively good? Why can’t you obtain it?
Because crazily enough, it’s not yet right for your salvation. Or, yes, contrary to it. Patience is vital. So is humility.
"This year I’m maintaining a simple baseline: Creative work in the morning, day job in the afternoon, bookend every day with a few simple prayers, and leave the goals to God."
I love this ad could probably take a lesson from it.
I have one goal: Heaven. Everything else either gets me closer or drags me away. If, something is going to help me reach that goal I pursue it. If it’s going to keep me from that goal I….ummmm….reject it? Well, at least in theory. I’m weak and blind and very much in need of grace. Now there are other things commonly referred to as goals. Maybe they are objectives. Who knows in this jargonated (Did I just make up a word? Look out OED!) pc culture we live in. They are more or less important depending on how they help or hinder me in reaching Heaven. They can help keep me on track or totally derail me. Usually it’s the latter. The almost always reflect my will. God’s will is in the ultimate goal of Heaven and the present moment.
I guess what I’m saying is that I’m just trying to do my best. Life is clearly messy. And maybe we fail in reaching our “goals” because God has something better in mind. For a control freak like me surrender is hard. Very hard.
Amen, brother. For a great deal of my life, I read the “personal development” literature and was of the mind that if I weren’t pursuing some goal, I was being lazy. There really are such things as “toxic productivity” and “toxic positivity.” That said there are worthy things to shoot for such as building up a down payment for the purchase of a safe home for one’s family. Paying down debt. Bettering one’s health, or addressing a major health concern. And working toward discipline in a prayer rule, more Bible reading and so on are not unworthy goals. But as the epistle of James says “If the Lord wills.” For myself—and I don’t remember when this shift occurred—I transitioned from goals to habits. What habits do I need to break, to add, to improve? And it does mean, yes, I write down the same things again and again. I suppose it’s the difference between have, be, do, and I’m orienting more to the be. For example, yes, I want to publish many novels. And I believe that is within God’s will. And if I may be so bold, I think he’d be happy with me accomplishing that. So, I’ve “cast a vision,” as the kids say, and put down various goals to that end. But I hold the outcome loosely. Because the joy, for me, is in the writing. The one thing that I will say about goal setting is the danger is attaching ourselves to this material world. I suppose if I were to create a “vision board,” the most material thing that would be on it would be a book on a shelf, or being read by someone. But I could also put things on there like a mocked up NYT bestseller list with my book on it. Or dollar signs, Pulitzer Prize, a movie rights contract and a picture of some big Hollywood star, etc. That is what makes me uncomfortable about such things. Because the bottom line, if being a published novelist is bad for my salvation, a loving God would get in the way, and hinder me. He might even make a jackass talk to me.
Oh yeah, we’re fellow travelers.
Your very last point is something it took me 50 years to accept. You think of God as a father. A helper. Don’t fathers help and guide you? Isn’t this or the noble thing you want objectively good? Why can’t you obtain it?
Because crazily enough, it’s not yet right for your salvation. Or, yes, contrary to it. Patience is vital. So is humility.
"This year I’m maintaining a simple baseline: Creative work in the morning, day job in the afternoon, bookend every day with a few simple prayers, and leave the goals to God."
I love this ad could probably take a lesson from it.
When the world gives us too much to bear, just hand it back. ;-)
I have one goal: Heaven. Everything else either gets me closer or drags me away. If, something is going to help me reach that goal I pursue it. If it’s going to keep me from that goal I….ummmm….reject it? Well, at least in theory. I’m weak and blind and very much in need of grace. Now there are other things commonly referred to as goals. Maybe they are objectives. Who knows in this jargonated (Did I just make up a word? Look out OED!) pc culture we live in. They are more or less important depending on how they help or hinder me in reaching Heaven. They can help keep me on track or totally derail me. Usually it’s the latter. The almost always reflect my will. God’s will is in the ultimate goal of Heaven and the present moment.
I guess what I’m saying is that I’m just trying to do my best. Life is clearly messy. And maybe we fail in reaching our “goals” because God has something better in mind. For a control freak like me surrender is hard. Very hard.
Enough blathering. I’m walking with you.
True surrender is learning to be grateful for having the control beaten out of you. 🤣