The other day I was looking for something in a desk drawer and ended up cleaning out the entire drawer without ever finding what I was looking for. What I did find were all of these cards that I had at one time chosen and bought with good intentions to give or send to someone to mark a special occasion. There are birthday cards, new baby cards, graduation cards and blank cards in which I meant to write my own message of congratulations, thanks or good wishes. Obviously, none of them ever reached the intended recipient.
This made me think of something I once heard about good works and good intentions being as far apart as heaven and hell. Of course, I am not saying that my following through with my good intentions to send someone a card would change much for me or that person, but it did make me think about other good intentions that I have had that I never followed through. There's the call I never made to a friend I haven't seen for a while, the meal I meant to take to a friend who just had surgery, the check-in visit to an elderly neighbor, the whatever kind thing I thought about doing but never did.
I'm not one who makes new year's resolutions but this stack of cards has encouraged me to at least make an effort to do a better job of following through on my good intentions. I am going to start with a gift I have been meaning to send to a blog friend and then I think I will make a couple of long overdue calls. At least I have a good supply of cards to send when the right occasions arise.
Are you good at following through on your good intentions?
This is an excellent topic, dear Jeanie. We are all guilty of failing to carry out our good intentions. We often talk ourselves out of sending a card or making a call because we tell ourselves we're too busy or too tired. We need to realize that we can overcome habitual procrastination and form a new habit, one in which we overrule that inner voice and follow through. A little extra effort on your part can make a big difference in somebody's day... or life.
ReplyDeleteI intended to say more.
ReplyDeleteJeanie - a thought-provoking post. I, too, have often procrastinated on a good intention and then dropped the ball. You've made me want to do better this year, too! I had to smile at the cards. When we were doing the remodel, I cleaned out drawers and now have one of those plastic storage boxes full of cards I bought at one time or another. I'll never have to buy a card again! I'm in the city -it's in the 50's - I'm happy!
ReplyDeleteI have had a card written, sealed, stamped sitting on my table for 3 weeks waiting for me to find the correct address. The lady it is for would have appreciated it 3 weeks ago but I have dropped the ball. Eventually I will find that address..... but I am mad at myself that I didn't google it a long time ago. I KNOW that cards, emails, phone calls, a hug can make a big difference in someone's day. You have inspired me to get on the ball. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh about the cards you found, Jeanie. We found a lot of cards like that here cleaning out hubby's parents' home. I guess his mom must have had good intentions or wanted to be ahead of the game in case she needed a card for something .
ReplyDeleteI used to be better about following through on things that I wanted to do, but I've kind of slipped up. Good reminder not to let the ball drop and follow through on some things.
A good thing too to start with this year being still so new!
betty
I had to laugh, as well! It's the story of my life! Why do we do this to ourselves? I'm not one for resolutions, either, but you have inspired me to stay on top of things a little better! Very thoughtful post! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I love this post. And for a lot of reasons (not the least is that I have that same pile of cards -- card bought because I liked them and probably to send at one time or another... I really need to categorize them so I can just go and find "birthday" or "get well." Not high on the priority list, but yes, I know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of the other part -- the calling or whatever -- the past few days. It is amazing how often we think of people and say "I should call them," or "We should schedule lunch" or "I should drop this note in the mail just because." Then we don't. And sometimes we never get the chance again.
I can relate to this. I think in recent years I've become a lot more deliberate about a number of things, but I still drop the ball sometimes. I find if I write something down I am better at the follow through.
ReplyDeleteI have a huge stash of cards very similar to yours. I feel bad about the unsent sympathy cards. I have lots of other unfulfilled good intentions, too. But I forgive myself because I also have lots of good things I can point to and say "Look, I did that." I have only so much time and energy. I will keep on thinking of good things to do, and I will hope that some day I get to them. Meanwhile, if I decide to take it easy, to blog instead of cleaning the house, to interrupt a chore to play a computer game, so be it. I've earned it. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to be but you know the older I get for some reason it is harder. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteJeanie, this is such an excellent post and really made me THINK. Yes, I can think of several things I truly intended to do and haven't. I'm going to get right on it now before I forget again. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have a few unsent cards but the hard thing for me is getting rid of received cards. It isn't the beauty of the card that causes me to hang onto them. It is the handwriting on the card. For some reason I find it difficult to throw out someone's writing, especially when they have written a note as well as signing the card. If the cards were computer generated signatures I could trash them in a second, but otherwise they are in boxes and files establishing great fire hazards. What do you do with cards people have sent you? Hum, that might make a good future question of the week.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest problem is sheer laziness. I just don't want to be bothered.
ReplyDeleteWell, as long as the cards haven't been used they are still perfectly good to send to someone other that you had originally intended. Frankly, I have a whole close of paper goods that I need to clean, reorganize, and "thin the herd".
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