When I was in middle school, one of my favorite teachers would regularly pray to Saint Anthony. Whenever she would misplace her keys or other objects we would hear her say, “Saint Anthony please help me find my keys.” While patron saints are used as a vehicle for prayer, Saint Anthony in particular is the seeker of lost articles, and likewise I have also made a habit of using prayer when items go missing. Overtime, I’ve noticed how giving ourselves over to prayer can also help distract our hurried hearts in order to thoughtfully remember where objects were left. Either way, if it’s Saint Anthony’s divine spirit helping me calm or leading me to discover the location of hidden items, I feel grateful to have a friend in the effort.
The idea of “my tomorrow self” was first introduced to me when considering how we might end the day, never out of malice but out of love and gratitude. Going to sleep upset is never convenient on nights when we are expected to be useful the next day. Awareness of tomorrow helps in the journey of preparation. In a more morbid connection, we might also clean the house with extra elbow grease when going out of town in case the worst occurs and we don’t make it back safely, leaving family and friends the task to organize belongings like on CSI. Yes, I realize the image is gruesome, but just so you know mom, my house is ready for you just in case.
Procrastination is the act of delay caused by fear, anxiety, and an unconscious need for more time. Accomplishing tasks before I’m able to consider alternative missions encourages me to stay ahead of the mind game. Setting out clothes, making the bed, preparing meals, and saving calories for later are all simple favors for “my tomorrow self.”
By definition, a virtue is a positive habit established with thoughtful repetition. Like the same middle school teacher once introduced in theological debate class, the three virtues most prevalent for Catholics include faith, hope, and charity. In more contemporary Christian practices, charity has also been relayed as love. In keeping the most necessary virtues at the forefront of my thoughts, tasks feels more manageable.
Considering “my tomorrow self” and how I want that person to look to the outside world helps encourage this pursuit as well. Do I want to wake up feeling tired, haggard, and disorganized with a smelly house and destructive kids? In teaching our kids respectful and helpful habits, they too can understanding the purpose of my expectations by reciprocating the same actions in return.
Yes, it’s also essential to appreciate today (Susan), but taking a few moments to prepare for tomorrow might help calm the spirit so we can confidently wake up feeling optimistic.
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