health

Keeping On

Posted by

2

Since it’s been a while since I posted, I’m thinking I should take another look at time management and posts about being busy but in a good way. Or, reflect on the one wondering where half the summer went already. Now, basically the whole thing is gone, though not officially by the calendar and it’s a gorgeous summer day here in eastern PA today.

In fact, I did get out and enjoy a picture-perfect day with friends at Lake Nockamixon on Labor Day weekend and got to take a spin on my brother’s kayak. Today, I’m taking my mom shopping, but at least we’ll be out and about on this great day.

It’s been a little over a year since I had a health event and a break from work, after which I began a routine of daily devotions with Bible reading and the book Journey to the Heart by Melanie Beaty. I am journaling more often. (Still not daily, but working on it.) Since last October, I’ve been weight lifting three times a week, and keeping up a routine of better punctuality, tending to the garden and feeding the stray cats and the birds (after my own cats) after work, daily check-ins with my mom and all the usual household stuff.

I also make time for fun with friends and family, and getting out for a nature walk or something enjoyable as much as possible. It’s been challenging at times and I don’t always feel like doing things, but I persist. I look around me, and I realize it’s not just me. Time flies for everyone. We’re all busy and we all have to make an effort to keep on going and doing and balancing life’s obligations with fun and enjoyment. Staying connected through it all is very important, so don’t forget that. Talk to people, and share your feelings and thoughts. People are all very similar in many ways. (Except for a few psychopaths, but we won’t go into that now.)

I feel that I was put on this earth to be an encourager and a light in my corner of the world. I will endeavor to keep doing that through thick and thin. I believe that there are forces set against those of us trying to lift others up. The eternal battle of good and evil is very much active in the world today. We good ones must rise up and keep pushing forward and be ourselves and affirm others to be themselves. We’re all in this together.

Kind of a grand conclusion for a post about routines, you might think. I’m learning that the routines are just the structure to provide a base to do more. Our thoughts and feelings can flow more freely when we control the things we can and not be discouraged by all the things we can’t control. All the chaos and evil in the world at large.

Brighten the corner where you are! Be you!

The Earth is burning. Are we really ok?

Posted by

Living in the northeast U. S., I’m seeing a lot of haze from Canadian wildfires this summer.  It’s not as bad as when it first occurred about two years ago, but today was pretty bad.  I am taking it in stride.  I don’t feel any adverse health effects.  I’m thankful that I have been able to keep up weight training at home since last October and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in years.

I also am not feeling anxiety about the smoke.  There’s nothing I can do about that, but the aforementioned exercise has enabled me to handle it better.  Of course, if it gets worse, it won’t matter what shape you’re in, we’ll all need breathing masks.  But I’ll still keep focused on things I can control. It’s all we can do.

The thing about these big problems beyond an individual’s control, though, is that there seems to always be something happening.  These fires are happening more frequently and intensely due to climate change, which brings many other problems as well.  Super storms, flooding, famine, species disappearing.  It can be very overwhelming.

Then you have your normal personal stuff that brings its challenges: relationships, family, work, finances, aging.  Survival.  And it seems like life just keeps getting busier for us all while we try to juggle all the responsibilities and obligations.

There’s no one coping strategy that works for everyone, but I’ve found it helpful to adopt a routine over the last year that includes making time for daily devotionals, working out on the designated days, taking care of the critters (my two cats, feeding the neighborhood strays, and the birds), texting with my mom while I make supper and she has her supper.  It helps her to have a visit by text for dinner since my dad died.  Then it’s time for writing and relaxing on the couch or on the deck depending on the time of year and the weather.  Unfortunately, the writing time is the one that keeps fizzling out, especially after I’ve eaten and the TV is on and I’m laying back on the couch.  That’s where working on the routines comes in. And trying to manage things you can control to the best of your ability. If you don’t beat yourself up and feel satisfied as long as you’re working on those things, then it can help alleviate anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by the chaotic world around you.

And of course, stay connected with others. We’re all in this together, so reach out to your friends and family, and always be ready for new friends.  Try to understand other people’s views so that we don’t feel so disconnected and separate. We can feel a sense of community and cooperation that will inspire us and keep us going.

Working toward something

Posted by

2

I’ve been on a self-improvement kick for the last several months. Really, it’s a renewal of a lifelong effort. I’ve been working on being more punctual to work.  I’d been on time every day for a long time but started to backslide into old habits. I’m not on time every day yet, but I’m getting better. I’m on time some days and when I’m late it’s at least not as late as before.  When I’m late, I stay the extra minutes at the end of the day, which my workplace tolerates, but it’s not ideal, obviously. I’m doing daily devotionals which is important to me as a Christian. (I’m a progressive Christian, not at all a Christian Right adherent.) I read my bible and then read a daily excerpt in a non religious book called Journey to the Heart which is basically about being more spiritual and in tune with your emotions.

I started working out with the weight set and weight bench I have in my basement but hadn’t used in about 12 years. It’s now routine to do it three times a week. I started in late October.  I’ve increased the weight I used on various exercises twice already.  It feels good. I’m thankful  I’m healthy enough to do it.

I’ve been writing in my journal more to keep track of life events and my mood and reflections on them. It’s a great tool to process things  and helps to jog your memory when you look back on things as well as focusing on things you can improve on going forward.

I’m also trying to be more communicative with friends and family. When you let things bottle up and don’t talk about them with anyone, it can sour your mood and frame of mind.  I’m also doing counseling to that end.

I’ve been trying to catch up on projects on my living space. I put up a shelf in my bedroom that I’d had for years and never put in place. I got a new plant stand and better organized my many house plants. Making your environment more appealing is a great way to boost your mood.

I titled this post working toward something because I’ve done all these things for the purpose of general self-improvement without having a specific end goal in mind. As I work on general self- development, I begin to seek more focus for the future.  I know that I want to use the gift God gave me in writing more fully, but I need to zero in on the how and when to do each step of the way. That’s why I’m trying to get back to blogging more.  I hope people find it worthwhile. I certainly do. I know we’re all just trying to muddle through this world with some kind of positive outcome. It seems like some people only focus on interfering with others’ efforts to do that, but we can’t let that discourage us.

So, my title of “working toward something” may seem vague but it’s just being honest that I am still trying to focus on specifics, still trying to determine my purpose, my place in this world. Aren’t we all?

Let’s work on it together. Be an encourager and make your critiques specific and constructive. Don’t tear down, but build up. Make suggestions of things the other person can do, rather than criticize what they have done.

We’re all in this together. We’re all on the same team – humanity. Keep trying. Help others. Look for the good in life!