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The Merry-Go-Round of Priorities

Writer's picture: Robert StevensonRobert Stevenson

There is a quote I heard years ago by that brilliant “Anonymous Author” who said, "The way life changes your priorities is a reminder that nothing is truly permanent, and everything can be redefined." Nothing is permanent… everything can be redefined is a great way to look at the uncertainty of life. No matter what is thrown at you, you have the ability to redefine your priorities.


My wife, Annie, just had full knee replacement surgery. Her knee was eaten up by arthritis, and we had exhausted all options to help her walk without pain. So, our priorities changed. This was not in our plans. This will disrupt everything. YEP! It sure will. So many things will have to be changed. YEP! They sure will. Where will we ever find the time in our busy schedules? I have heard it said countless times, “If it is important enough, you make time.”


So, we decided when … and stopped our world. Everything came to a screeching halt. Priority #1 was to fix the knee. Life has a way of shifting your focus from what you thought you wanted to what you really need. The good news is we could see this coming. Sometimes life gives you NO WARNING. Just as soon as you have things going smoothly, something else happens. Life throws something unexpected your way, and suddenly, you are interrupted by a new challenge that demands your attention; your priorities change.


We’ve all experienced it: you find the perfect routine, your career is going smoothly, your relationships are steady, and you think, "I’ve got this!" But then, just as you're starting to relax, an unforeseen obstacle appears. Maybe it’s an unexpected bill, a health issue, or a work deadline you didn’t anticipate. It’s like the universe’s way of saying, “Not so fast. I’m going to keep you on your toes.”


This constant shift can be frustrating, but to be successful, you must learn to handle it. Life isn’t about waiting for everything to align perfectly; it’s about learning to adapt and keep going, no matter what happens. Life doesn’t care about your to-do list—it will change your priorities whether you’re ready or not. Sometimes you will have to get off the merry-go-round and deal with whatever is thrown at you. You may not think you can get off, but trust me, you can. You will find the time.


No one’s life is ever perfectly prioritized. Market shifts, companies fail, jobs get eliminated, your health takes a turn for the worse… the list is endless. So, take a step back, assess the issue, prioritize, and get back on the merry-go-round knowing it’s going to happen again. And that’s okay, because you can handle it.

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