Still Writing, Still Learning, Still Trying

Last updated on: September 21, 2026 at 7:53 pm by Sherry Antonetti

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Still Writing, Still Learning, Still Trying 2026-09-21T19:53:50-04:00 Sherry Antonetti

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Image by Kei from Pixabay One of these days, I will remember. Write the darn list. I don’t know why the list works but it works.

Take yesterday as exhibit 3,247,201. Proof that evidence is irrelevant. I made a list. It had twelve things on it, big things, little things, messy time consuming errands, errands that required individual stops. Somehow, with the list, I did fifteen things, and all of the things on the list.

So again today, I made the list but somehow with less enthusiasm. The list prevailed. The work got done. Don’t ask me how or why this works because I don’t know. I only know, writing it down makes it happen, and not writing it down makes me promptly forget.
God doesn't use a tally system.
Pondering this reality, I do know one reason I resist. Writing the list means there are things that will get done. Not having a list implies the day is free. It isn’t, but it’s stollen time. Today, I reorganized two bookshelves and cleared out a third. The result? I’m very tired but things are better, less cluttered, and I can see where everything is. The list sets me free because it means things do not get left behind. Except it doesn’t.

Since I know it works, the only explanation is, some part of me does not want to do the work and as such, sabotages the rest of me by refusing to write things down. If so, then the decision to not make the list is an act of intentional sloth now that I know it.

Today, that’s the problem. Now I am feeling sabotaged because I made the list today and there are still seven things to do on it; write, read, adoration, appointment for Paul, Grade 1st, 3rd and 7th period, import slides and banking. The list didn’t work. Or more accurately, I didn’t work which isn’t quite accurate because I did work, I just didn’t finish. So now I’m looking to see, how to whittle this list down to nothing.

Imported slides and worked on this essay for my blog. So if I get the whole thing done, that’s two off the list. The ADHD takes over and insists. This is why the darn list works. So I wonder, could I push it to make the list include submit a piece a week for publication, pray the rosary daily, and lose 15 pounds? Then my brain goes into overdrive –what about read a book a week, play the piano for 20 minutes, 20 push ups daily, my mind spins to find an infinite number of mini projects to cram into the same 24 hours anyone gets.

It’s in that moment that I hear, “Sherry, Sherry, you are anxious about many things.” and the reminder that there is only one thing to be attended to, and it is Christ. Everything else is busy. Not bad, not evil, maybe even needed or necessary, but not Christ.

So I look back at that infamous list and put above it all one thing. “Be present.” and trust that it will all happen, between the list and being present –especially if I stop looking at checking off the list like some sort of prize itself.

Promise to write more tomorrow, and maybe make some spiritual progress by not deciding if the day is a success or not based on the list.

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