Another Trip Around the Sun

I always look forward to my birthday, even on the years where I’m low on inspiration and without big plans – I see a birthday as ALWAYS worth celebrating! Age doesn’t really phase me…I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every year. I don’t dread turning a year older. I love a new year, fresh start, another opportunity to evaluate and set new goals and aspirations. Taylor also has a lead on me in years which probably helps take the sting out of any milestone birthdays! But as he likes to say, I’m catching up to him. As I turn 43, I’ve decided to make a 43 List: 43 things I’d like to accomplish at 43. Working on my “tan” will be at the top. One of the side-effects of my natural treatment protocols: a carrot juice “tan”. I’ve relaxed a little too much on my juicing and lost my tan. That will be one thing I immediately start working on in this new year… a year-round “tan”!

A birthday is also a celebration of another year of life God has granted. With no guarantee of tomorrow, I see a birthday as that much more significant – a celebration of a year of tomorrows lived (some better than others). Closing out 42, I had a couple of days this week that were just a flat trudge if you know what I mean. Those days where you lack motivation for various reasons and your just holding onto time as it drags you through its day. Yep, I had a couple of those days. On these kind of days, I have to work hard to choose to be thankful, to see the positives, to recount my blessings, and to just press forward knowing (praying) that tomorrow is coming and with it a new day and fresh start! I must confess that I’ve asked God if he would just freeze time again as He did in Joshua 10:13, “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped….” So far, He obviously thinks I have enough time in my day. And so, I guess I do. All Day. Every Day. I just need to make the most of it!

Trudge Relief Tips… When Time doesn’t stand still

• Get Quiet and Get Perspective. I like to practice some mindfulness exercises – deep breathing and quieting my mind before God. If you haven’t practiced mindfulness exercises, check them out! Like I said, I’m a fan of the deep breathing exercises and focusing my thoughts. I also like that I can do these virtually anywhere and be more intentional with what I meditate on.
• Worship. I think everyone can agree – music effects you and your mood. Putting on worship music and just letting it play, even when I don’t “feel” like worshiping or singing or whatever – helps alleviate the “trudge” mindset. It also sets the tone for a productive quiet time with God.
• Scripture Reading. Whether I play my Bible app and let it read to me or I dive into passages myself. Renewing my mind and confessing God’s word and truth centers me and helps reset my perspective and outlook.
• Get out. Getting out of my own head and saying yes to community helps reset my perspective as well. Isolation and loneliness is a playground for a low motivation trudge which can quickly escalate to being absolutely stuck. Say yes to that coffee or lunch invitation even if you don’t look or feel like it. And absent an invite, take initiative and breakthrough by reaching out to a friend… if only to ask them to pray for you – make yourself do it. Note: social media is NOT the community I’m referring to nor an acceptable substitute for the real deal!
• Move your body! Exercise is such a great stress reliever. My mental game is so much stronger when I’m regularly exercising! I consider it, not only in my best interest but that of my family and friends as well.
• Go to bed. Get sleep. This one is by far the hardest for me! I have been such a night owl most of my life and when Taylor is traveling (which he does on occasion…haha), let’s just say I have found my couch sleeps really comfortably. Late night scrolling social media or binge watching Netflix does not result in true down time or “rest”. And the social media struggle is real – It is hard to pull out of a deep scroll… if you don’t know what I mean – then you have successfully avoided the social media vortex (I don’t know whether to congratulate you or express my sympathy – ha!)

These are some of my go-to funk busters and just writing them down helps encourage and motivate me to get better acquainted with them myself. Obviously, I put some of these into practice this week – practice makes perfect.

It is going to be a great year, but I also expect it to be a wild ride! I am so expectant and excited about the next part of the journey. We’ve got a few dreams we are chasing and I told Taylor, I feel like a dog chasing a car – what are we going to do when we catch it?! Looks like we will get the chance to find out sooner than later. I look forward to bringing you along in the journey. Stay tuned….