THE POWER OF A 3X5 CARD
As I look back at my life, I see how people around me have used a 3x5” card to establish extraordinary habits. It’s something so simple but yet so powerful. Remember the days of making flash cards to memorize important chemistry equations or cramming info for your history test? Even you yourself were probably able to accomplish something hard through the power of a little card that provided no distractions. Here are a few people who I find have used a 3x5 card to establish routines, traditions, and live with courage and focus.
My father for the past 45 years has sat down every evening to write down his “to do” list for the next day on what? You guessed it. A 3x5 card. “Feed cows, change water in Tob’s field, weld the old chevy door, check pump in north greenhouse, buy milk, Scouts at 7…. “ Every morning I would see this paper on the kitchen table and magically things would be crossed off each time I would see it. He had established a strong routine of getting things done on a device that provided no distractions to him accomplishing his task.
Sitting in the kitchen window, what do we find? My mother’s clothespin recipe holder holding onto the most used recipes in our home. Worn 3x5 cards filled with recipes like Congo Bars, Neighbor Phyllis’s Cookies, Mom’s White Bread, Lemon Jell-O Cheesecake, Clarece’s Spool Cookies. These cards helped establish the memories of our home.
Max, Amanda, and Rebecca are all former roommates of mine who used 3x5 cards to write quotes, scriptures, and inspirational thoughts to empower them to live with courage and focus throughout their week. Max would memorize quotes from history and literature every month by placing a 3x5 card with a quote in her shower or above her car mirror. It’s no surprise that she eventually worked on capital hill. Amanda had taped her handwritten motto onto her mirror, “It’s all about love.” On her wall she had hung, “Start each day with a song, share happiness, serve gladly.” Understandably I can now see why she is one of the most loving, happy person I know. My best friend Rebecca always had her hand-written scriptures all over her home to help her live a life of faith. She had established this routine long before her 5 year battle with Leukemia. She held onto those words as she went through the biggest trial of faith and clung to God and His will until she passed away on Valentine’s Day 2018. I don’t think that this is a coincidence. There is a power in words, and the words we see on a daily basis transform us into who we want to be.
What if we as a society, started taping quotes to our mirrors, pinned them on public announcement walls, and used them for our family traditions? We can change our life and focus one 3x5 card at a time. Imagine the difference. What quotes will you hang on your walls that will motivate you to become the person you are wanting to become, to help you with your life and focus?
“Let him that would first move the world first move himself” –Socrates
Rebecca in Norway 2017
Rebecca had not been able to travel due to her battle for 4 years, when her doctor said she was in remission and could leave the country for a trip, she called me(Mary) and my husband and we instantly planned a celebration trip to Norway. We felt very strongly that God was inspiring this trip. She took a week and a half off of teaching elementary school to go. Who would have known that 10 months later she would leave us. She had the time of her life, laughed, and soaked it all up. On the way home, the Norwegian flight staff fell in love with her vibrant positive personality and asked if she would like to sit first class.
During her 5 year battle she felt very inspired to write a blog. When you need a good perspective on life, positivity, and powerful words, read her blog at https://choosingtothrive.wordpress.com/author/rebeccadutson/.
We miss you Rebecca! Thanks for making the world a better place and touching the lives of others through your positivity, quirkiness, and faith.