Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: PROCRASTINATE (08/04/16)
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TITLE: Later is Now | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Liang
08/11/16 -
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Earlier that day
“Florence, how do I keep myself from being distracted? I never seem to know what to do and can’t get anything done. I am constantly planning my English lessons right before class and on top of that driving myself crazy thinking about my single status. I don’t think I will ever get married. I want to be organized and yet I am a complete mess. Please tell me what to do!” Makayla pounded the table in frustration.
“I have known you for 2 years now Makayla and I know that God always has a purpose in who he brings together. Your spouse is just around the corner. I am sure of that. That doesn’t mean change won’t be difficult. In fact, it will be very difficult. Advice like that is what you get when you hang around an old widow who served her time. I had to learn the hard way too”.
Florence reached for Makayla’s hand and continued, “So, let me tell you what you are to do. Buy index cards, as many as you can find. Write ‘Later Is Now’ on all of them, as bold as you can. Tape them to any place you can find in your room so that you can’t escape. Don’t give yourself any excuse to procrastinate. You are not allowed to remove any of the cards for three whole days”.
A bewildered Makayla said her goodbyes and trudged along the familiar path across campus to her apartment. Her breath heavy from the exertion of five flights of stairs she closed the door and propped her weary elbow on the handle. Surprisingly, the door flew open and with a crash she landed on her backside in front of her neighbor’s door across the concrete hallway. The new neighbor’s door. The handsome new neighbor’s door.
Picking herself up and dusting off she rushed into her apartment before he knew the source of the unwelcome ringing of his doorbell. Once safely tucked inside, and away from the annoying door, she sighed with relief. Finding her whatever drawer propped open she rummaged through it and found a brand new package of index cards and a permanent pen to begin Florence’s suggestion. There was no better time than the present. After all ‘Later Is Now’. Twenty-five cards in and her mind began to wander. What’s the point, she thought. Pushing through she completed another 25 cards and then another. She was now swimming in a sea of words. Words meant to encourage but she felt anything but. Her time in China was so depressing.
Three days later
Later is now. Later is now. Yes, later is now. Now I understand. I don’t have to live in fear of failure. I don’t have to live in fear of tomorrow. I don’t have to live in fear of a life without fun because of responsibilities. I don’t have to live in fear of being single. Later is now and I will do what I need to do now before the distractions come my way. Procrastination has nothing on me anymore. The new me is ready for what’s next.
With an air of confidence Makayla opened her front door and stepped out. She had coffee in one hand and a folder all ready for class in the other. What she didn’t expect was to face her Italian neighbor and his insistence on holding her coffee so she could lock up. How could she refuse?
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