I got up at 4 AM yesterday to *try* working out before going to work. I gave it a try. Unlike cleaning up my diet, changing my workout time to 4 AM had no beneficial effect other than feeling wide awake and ready to go at 5 AM. By 10, I was ready for a nap.
I really didn't think I'd wimp out that easy since I usually get up at 5, but I guess that one hour makes a huge difference. Maybe if I gave it a good 2 weeks I'd get used to it, but I'm not gonna.
So today I stopped at the gym after work. That works better for me. I just need to get in the habit of going after work. Working out is not a stress-reliever for me... it's a stress builder. I know lots of people say they work out as a release, but for me, working out is crimp in my plan- my plan to slow down, read, write, think, walk, breathe and write some more. I work out for the same reason I brush my teeth and eat my veggies (actually I like to eat my veggies)... it's good for me. It's definitely not my hobby.
From the moment I get in my car after church on Sunday the commencing week hits me like a flash flood. Before I know it, it's Thursday and I've got no blog post to show for it. Smile. I seriously feel like each day that I don't write I don't fully digest that day's benefits and lessons.
I've been thinking on these quotes:
Contempt is conceived with expectations. Respect is conceived with expressions of gratitude. We can choose which one we will obsess over- expectations, or thanksgivings. That choice will result in a birth- and the child will be named either contempt, or respect. - Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Making someone else feel smaller so that we can feel larger is antithetical to the Christian faith, a complete rejection of the Christian virtues of humility, sacrifice, and service. So often Jesus left the crowd to minister to the individual, while we rationalize leaving the individual- particularly our spouse- to curry favor with the crowd... If a man or woman is unrelentingly ambitious, willing to ignore or to sacrifice a spouse as they pursue their own agenda, they will almost undoubtedly be unrelentingly ambitious toward others as well, bringing them on board to serve their purposes, not to engage them in mutual kingdom service. - Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Well my world-weary Music Man is home from a 14 hour mentally-grueling day. Now would be a good time to leave the crowd to minister to the one.
Quieted,
Sheila
