I’m pretty sure Charlotte Mason was thinking of me when she wrote these words in the chapter on Integrity in Ourselves (pg 171 & 172). 😉 In fact, I had been struggling to settle down and read this chapter because there were other books that seemed more interesting at the moment, but weren’t necessarily the next thing to be done. It is encouraging to know that with practice, doing what should be done can become a habit.
Now, the eager soul who gives attention and zeal to his work often spoils its completeness by chasing after many things when he should be doing the next thing in order. […]
It is well to make up our mind that there is always a next thing to be done, whether in work or play; and that the next thing, be it ever so trifling, is the right thing; not so much for its own sake, perhaps, as because, each time we insist upon ourselves doing the next thing, we gain power in the management of that unruly filly, Inclination.
The power to distinguish what must be done at once, from what may be done, comes pretty much by habit. At first it requires attention and thought. But mind and body get into the way of doing most things; and the person, whose mind has the habit of singling out the important things and doing them first, saves much annoyance to himself and others, and has gained in Integrity.
I won’t go on to quote what she says about the Habit of Finishing! 😛
