Why a Look-Back to Last Year Can Be Helpful - 2

Continuing our look-back to last year, here's a "real time" entry from one day last year that tried to describe the particular challenges faced on this end as I worked my way through the Mess:

Right off the bat, I noticed unusually high demand on our internet, even more than what we've had since the lockdown with, more people using it at the same time during the day. So, OK, things might be slowed down. Check. Factor it into the day's workflow.

Then a client contact via email: needs our input for some serious decisions to be made with only a week or so away. Why did they wait so long to tell us he needed help here? We've been going over this stuff for the last couple of months, even offering our time for specific input. No need they said at that time - until now, the last minute. But can't focus on all that. Just get them into the day's schedule and do whatever heavy lifting needs doing.

Then a Microsoft Update immediately began just as I was going to update an important detailed record we faithfully keep. Now what? Make sure you don't forget to circle back when the update finishes - and, of course, it took about 10 times longer than the typical update.

Then two submissions to a vendor were rejected because information was missing in a couple of spots. But we included the original documents which our submission referenced. They couldn't just grab the information and process the request? Nope. Needed us to re-submit. So did that and...submission rejected. Start over again.

Time passes.

Updates check: Still churning.

Ah, some relief. Submission of the revision of an important legal document related to an action in which a client was involved was received via email: They don't require the original of the revision submitted by snail mail. Halleluiah! Saves a trip to the Post Office.

Eyes on the checklist: items outstanding. Update completed. Re-submit to our vendor. Not rejected this time. Back to that detailed record. Tempted for a second to skip this entry. Don't do it! Don't give in to convenience/laziness. Whatever the cause, if you give in it's due to lack of discipline. Stick to the discipline!

Family member due to call any minute: Has a personal need to which our professional experience and expertise can lend some assistance. Can't put them off, no matter how busy we are.

While the the particulars were driven by last year's C-Virus Mess, a day like this isn't uncommon - just with different particulars. But with and easing of the Mess, the specific anxiety that accompanied some of those items isn't present. That's a plus.

In this case, looking back yields a perspective that tells me that the Mess - at least as it manifested itself last year - has eased up more than I had realized. Add this to our recent experience on vacation in a place we go every year - last year being the exception - and it does seem the world is being nudged away from fear and insanity - at least a bit.

But while we might relax some of the specific vigilance, worry, and anxiety that the Mess created then, we might remind ourselves that we shouldn't expect life to be a day at the beach. It's just not in the cards for us to lollygag through the day if we're serious about our work. Just as it's not in the cards to lollygag in our spiritual life if we're serious about some day getting to Heaven.

So where does this leave us? 

For one thing, looking back to last year helped gain a better perspective on what's going on now. When we only look at our immediate surroundings, we can't always get that wider perspective we need. Looking back broadened our horizon.

Next, the special challenges that took up our time and attention last year may be fading away slowly but surely. In their place, we'll likely find a steady stream of challenges that simply come with the territory at work and in our personal lives. 

Most importantly, if we found support and strength in our spiritual life last year, we'll find it now as well. God never leaves us behind. We need to be sure we never leave God behind.