Two Lists

Like many people, I have a to-do list at the beginning of every day. For most days when I am not traveling, the list looks like this:
1. Eat breakfast.
2. Write 2 chapters of WIP. (Or possibly, revise 2 chapters of WIP)
3. Put up a helpful writing post on tumblr/lj
4. Answer email.
5. Get my workout in.
6. Plan future events, like Writing For Charity, retreat, etc.
7. Deal with family emergencies, health care issues, etc.
8. Laundry/dishes/household stuff
9. Errands for kids.
10. Dinner, family time in the evening.
I spend a lot of energy getting my daily to-do list done. I feel great satisfaction after having accomplished my list. It helps me deal with my anxieties about myself. But at the end of the day, I make a different list. This list is my list of things that happened that made me glad I’m alive. On this list:
1. A hug from one of my kids.
2. Good food, sometimes made from scratch.
3. Laughing out loud.
4. Cuddling with a blanket.
5. The sound of a perfect piece of music.
6. Holding hands with my husband.
7. Hearing the voice of a distant friend on the phone.
8. Reading a book just for fun.
9. The smell of my daughter’s hair when she presses her head next to mine while we watch TV together.
10. A note from a reader saying they loved my book.
This is a completely different kind of list and has nothing to do with things that I do or accomplish. But it has changed my life. Day by day, as I remember the things that ended up on my list at the end of the day, I look forward to those more. I cherish them when they happen for longer. I anticipate them. And my anxiety decreases.