Craig Curry

Birthday Reflections

by: Craig Curry

posted in: The Stuff of Life

Monday, May 09, 2011

(2) comments

It’s been waaay too long since I’ve made a blog post, and since today’s my birthday, I thought it would be a good day to reflect a bit.

Last week I finished up my responsibilities at Friends University for the semester, and so I’ve had more time to step back and look at “the big picture” of my life at present.

As I noted in my last post, I discovered GTD, or “Getting Things Done” last year. It’s been a great resource for me to help me structure my life and stay current with what I need to be working on at any given moment, given the context I’m in. I’ve been using Cultured Code’s “Things” software to help me implement GTD, but decided over the weekend to make the switch to Omnifocus, which is “approved” by the GTD people. Switching to different software has been a bit time-consuming, but it’s also given me the opportunity to review all of my projects and think about any changes I want to make. I have to say I think Omnifocus is more powerful than Things, and somewhat more complicated to use as a result, but I’ve been making the adjustment without too much trouble. The video tutorials that Omni Group offers at their website are very well done and very helpful, and their manual is also very readable and straightforward.

But as I’ve been looking over my various upcoming projects I have to say that I’m really grateful to God to have the opportunity to write music professionally. I enjoy my work, and it is a gift to be able to do what I love and what God has gifted me to do. I’m grateful for and excited about the work I have on the horizon. However, at the same time, the more secure I grow in Christ and His love for me, the less I worry about building a name for myself. If my “stock” goes up, in the world’s eyes, great… more work, more income… I’m thankful for the new opportunities that affords. But if my stock goes “down,” I’m okay because I know my true worth is not dependent on the fluctuations of the “market.” I have NOTHING to PROVE. And because God is keeping my treasure, I have NOTHING to LOSE. All that He has given Christ, he gives to me, as my anthem “All of These” testifies and therefore, I have NOTHING to GAIN.

Knowing my life and value are secure in God’s hands (He CAN be TRUSTED!), I’m free to live with NOTHING to LOSE as something of a life theme. I can try new things, take risks, and fail, knowing that I have a good Father who is with me and that nothing can separate me from His love. So I can try something new, knowing that I have NOTHING to PROVE to God or to the world, nor NOTHING to GAIN even if I’m “successful.”

I am undeniably “middle aged” (not that I’m NOT trying to deny it!). Some of my published music is older than my students in college, which seems “weird” to me. I know God still has plans for me in every area of life: relationally, spiritually, and professionally. I want to stay “in tune” with them. But on my birthday, I’m feeling grateful for all that He has given me this far, and I wanted to note that today.

Tags: omnifocus, gtd, getting things done

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Leave a Comment