WRITING AGAIN

Back in the fall I made a commitment I didn’t keep. That was to get back to my writing projects here at the Vicarage. There was a time before I became what I am now that I considered being a professional writer. I gave up working on that part of me.

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The other day I was reading an artist’s blog and she was talking about how she had been out of the art scene for a while because of… life. The blog was all about how she had begun reconnecting with her talent in small ways simply by drawing or painting some small object a few times a week.

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I thought, “This is what I am supposed to be doing, but I am not.”

I had to ask myself why. I have concluded that it is because I am not prioritizing even a few brief minutes to the work. I tell myself I am too tired. It’s not important enough to get into my schedule. I have too many other things to do and cannot give myself the time to even exercise my mind in this way.

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In the end I realize these are all excuses. I am not too tired. I am letting laziness rule me. This work is important. It was once important enough that I considered making it an income stream. I am learning that the more I exercise my mind with healthy hobbies the more productive I become at the work of my calling, so there is no good reason not to begin exercising my writing muscles again.

These are just exercises in thinking and putting thoughts to keyboard; So last night I took a few minutes and began jotting down some words, flow of thought. The piece is below and it is about me and my father.

STAYING HYDRATED

One of the things I have not talked too much about this year…or ever really I guess… is my weight loss journey. I have been on it for over a year now; so far I am further away from my goal than when I began.

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I chalk that up to my current stress situation… Strange sleeping hours and weird eating schedules coupled with not enough water and a lot of emotional eating as well as eating the easiest thing to grab (like McDonald’s or pizza from my fav local pizzeria).

I realize life could stay like this for a while. I am now at the point where my belt doesn’t even fit comfortably.

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I bought some suspenders the other day to get me through this TEMPORARY season of life.

I know I have to make some decisions that will get me going in the right decision, even if they are really small ones. in fact from my recent studies, I know the small maintainable decisions are the most helpful types of decisions, when trying to make significant lifestyle changes.

The small change that I am making today is to hydrate everyday. Specifically I am going to drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water everyday.

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In order to do this I am going to stack my new water drinking habit with my well established prayer habits. I pray eight times a day…so now I will just add a glass of water to each prayer time.

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From previous experience, I know that even small changes take a little while to turn into consistent behaviors…so the journey begins!

HOW DO YOU MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES?

THE MAKING AND KEEPING OF A SCHEDULE

At this moment, Mom is sleeping. She ate her first solid food in six days a little while ago. a quarter of a ham salad sandwich and a few chip crumbs. Amanda and I are sitting watching Murder She Wrote (the key to creating an atmosphere that keeps Mom calm).

Mom requires a two person assist since her last bout of illness. So I spent this morning making and sending out the weekly schedule to our family to make sure we have the proper coverage every day.

We have never kept a sedate schedule at The Vicarage. While our hours, as ministers and teachers, are flexible for the most part there is still a lot to do. While we have lots of hands in this work (and I am blessed for all the help). Each set of hands comes with an added layer of complexity. Keeping Joe and Kristine’s work at their schools and Amanda’s, Brenda’s and my visitation and preaching schedules in mind means scheduling takes some consideration.

Melanie and James are coming over a few times next week to make sure Brenda is not alone while Amanda and I are out at staff meeting.

I am also working to make sure the whole family is in the know about times and schedules for the PCA’s and nurses.

I am really thankful right now for Paul Hackett who trained me in scheduling all those years ago. I am also thankful to his wife Carrie, my personal assistant at church who has kept my schedule at church organized.

I know that in the days ahead communication is going to be a key to keeping our sanity and to giving Mom the best quality of life she can have now. That is the penultimate goal at the moment. Well, I just got an alert than Megan is about to arrive to help Mom with her daily wash up. So folks I am off. Keep us in your prayers as I keep you in mine.