Doing

In our Adult Confirmation class we've been talking about how Christianity is less about what we believe and more about what we do. Today I was shopping and found a book, The Book of Doing: Everyday Activities to Unlock Your Creativity and Joy, by Allison Arden. The books begins with "The Laws of Doing." These are great, so I want to share them with you. They work for all our "doing," of course, but I am really struck about how they apply to what we "do" as Christians, what we do for others, and what we "do" in and through the church. Enjoy.



1. Everything starts with nothing.  Sometimes it takes a few steps for you to begin to see your creation. Keep going.
2. It is never too late to start doing.  Age can be an excuse regardless of how old you are. Don’t let it stand in your way – ever.
3. Disengage from your device.  Mobile devices and social media are amazing creations that add value in many ways, but we must disconnect and focus on doing in order to be present for the people and the world around us. Shut it off, hide it in a drawer, whatever you need to do. It will all still be there when you get back.
4. You can always find the time for the things you want to do.  If you look closely enough, it is possible to find time to do the things you really want to do. Even if you cannot spend as much time as you would like doing exactly what you want, every minute you spend is worthwhile and helps you plant seeds for the future.
5. Choose doing.  If you have a choice between doing nothing and doing something, do something.
6. Turn what you have to do into what you love to do.  If you approach a project or a job as a chore, it will be one. Reevaluate why you’re doing what you’re doing. If there is a reason for why you have to do it, find the joy in your actions.
7. Don’t be distracted by the red bouncing ball.  There will always be something with the ability to pull your attention away. Figure out what it is, and learn how to overcome it. Decide what is important and commit your time to it.
8. Learn from doing.  Nobody starts out an expert, and often the biggest lessons are learned from failure. If what you’ve done doesn’t come out how you hoped, learn from that. Don’t look at it as a waste of time. You learned from the act of doing. Carry your lessons forward to your next project.
9. Set a vision, but be open to the exploration. Many of your best experiences will come from the exploration. You may end up with an unexpected and exhilarating outcome. Approach each project with a sense of wonder.
10. Getting started is the first step.  If you have a vision but don’t know exactly how to get it done, take the first step. The first step may be finding someone who can help. Future steps will become clear through your initial exploration. If your project doesn’t have a mandatory outcome, set a vision for what you’d like to accomplish so you have a place to start and an idea of where you’re heading. But be open to the discovery (see number 9!)
11. Taking a break can make your project better.  Sometimes you need to step away from a project to be able to see it with new eyes and a fresh perspective.
12. The things worth doing aren’t easy.  The things worth doing often come with some fear and frustration. Don’t be scared away. It is the challenging parts that can make the end result sweeter.
13. The things worth doing take time.  Technology has turned us into an instant gratification culture. Sometimes things take longer than you expect. Unless there is some pending deadline, there is no need to rush a project just to get to the end.
14. Do for you.  Taking time to do something for yourself is not selfish. It makes you and everything around you better.
15. Do and tell.  If you’re excited about what you’re doing, don’t be shy. Tell your friends. They’ll encourage you when you hit frustration points and help you keep going.
16. Don’t worry about what others think about what you’re doing, and don’t worry about what others are doing.  Worrying about someone else’s project or spending energy wondering what they think about yours is a sure way to hamper your creativity. Let it flow without negativity, apprehension, or self-consciousness. Some of the mot amazing things have been accomplished by people others thought were crazy.
17. Let your creativity bring out the creativity in someone else.  Don’t allow someone to say they’re not creative. Creativity exists within each of us. Use your creativity to help inspire creativity in others around you. Pay it forward.
18. Finish your projects.  Always commit yourself to finishing your projects from the outset. A genuine commitment creates a genuine result.