I’m trying something. Actually several somethings. For 30 days. It started when I got Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred DVD in attempt to exercise more without having to go to a gym. I started thinking: there are other things in my life I want to make habitual. That I’m far too un-intentional about. And since it’s summer and I’m off work, it’s the perfect time to be intentional. Here goes:
Exercise daily for 30 days.
This is going to be a huge struggle for me. However, I have lots of opportunities to accomplish this right at home. I have the above named torture work-out DVD, Biggest Loser for Wii, an elliptical machine, a neighborhood running track, and a few handy iPhone apps: Tabata Timer and Couch to 5K. I can do this. I just have to remember my goals: Use exercise (instead of medicine) to boost my moods and use exercise to lose weight. (Can you tell I’m giving myself a pep talk already?)
Write daily for 30 days.
My goal is 30 minutes a day for 30 days. And I can’t count blogging. This has to be one of my works-in-progress or something for a journal submission. My writing adrenaline is high right now because a few days ago I got an acceptance, but I realize it won’t be this way for 30 days. As Madeleine L’Engle said, “Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.” (italics mine) I have to approach writing as work, but knowing that it is good work, that once I am into it, I love it and grow from it.
Pray daily for 30 days.
Though we usually sometimes have family prayers at our altar, it has been a long time since I’ve practiced the habit of prayer on a personal level. Sure, I breathe a prayer of protection over my family on the way to work every day, and I think an occasional prayer for someone I know is in need, but again, it’s just not intentional. Henri Nouwen wrote, “Without silence the Spirit will die in us and the creative energy of our life will float away and leave us alone, cold, and tired.” Maybe the work of prayer will impact the work of writing, and exercising, and mothering, and everything else.
What do you want to be intentional about in your life? Wanna join me? Will you commit to doing something for 30 days? Leave a comment for me! Hey, maybe this will turn into some guest posts from some of you! Who knows?
I’m SO inspired by this! And by your new site. Did you do it all yourself? As you know, I’m ALWAYS considering switching, but I’m nervous to take on anything that will take a lot of time. (I’m not techie at all)
Nina, I emailed you about this.
I’ll accompany you for 30 days of exercise and prayer. This is a good time to start- the Apostles Fast runs the 11th through the 29th. Orthodox Christians in many places will be devoting themselves to more prayer (and more silence) and the other sacrifices of the fast, so we will be plugging into more good vibes than we know.
Great! Glad you are joining me!
Great ideas Karissa and very positive approach which I’ll use to remind myself to exercise and pray! (The writing part is yours!)
I had actually already begun the exercise part, but I really appreciate your point of view and encouragement — I like the way you give yourself pep talks! Thanks for sharing that.
The praying I hope to focus more on during the Apostles fast here and so I also appreciate your words very much as they are very timely! There is also a great podcast on Ancient Faith Radio right now about “Prayer Rule” here http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/thearena/prayer_rule
and currently it is accessible from the Ancient Faith radio Home Page under The Arena podcast.
Thanks for blogging!