You Have to Make Up Your Mind

Wisdom is learning what to overlook.
        — William James

Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?
by the Lovin Spoonful

Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one and leave the other one behind
It\'s not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

Did you ever have to finally decide?
And say yes to one and let the other one ride
There\'s so many changes and tears you must hide
Did you ever have to finally decide?

Sometimes there\'s one with deep blue eyes, cute as a bunny
With hair down to here and plenty of money
And just when you think she\'s that one in the world
Your heart gets stolen by some mousy little girl

And then you know you better make up your mind
And pick up on one and leave the other one behind
It\'s not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

Sometimes you really dig a girl the moment you kiss her
And then you get distracted by her older sister
When in walks her father and takes you in line
And says, \"Better go home, son, and make up your mind\"

Then you bet you\'d better finally decide
And say yes to one and let the other one ride
There\'s so many changes and tears you must hide
Did you ever have to finally decide?

I\’ve finally figured out that everything on my TODO list is not going be done. Even with care in adding new items, the existing items, plus the essential new items, along with the ongoing, recurring items (e.g. exercise, taxes, picking up the mail), low ranking items will likely never be completed unless their importance or urgency changes.

The Lovin Spoonful song is a lovely, light little ditty that if you pay attention to the words nails the problem. There are often several attractive choices but you can only do one. As the refrain says, \”It\’s not often easy and not often kind.\” Putting off deciding does no one a kindness.

On the TODO list, something will continue to be overlooked and probably should be let go.