I resolved this year to take better care of myself.
This is playing out in so many different areas of my life. I'm trying to take better care of myself physically by counting calories and actively trying to lose weight. I'm down about three pounds, which isn't all that much, but I'm realizing that it's just going to be slow and I'm going to have to take baby steps. I've also been trying to do my knee exercises to strengthen them. It's supposed to help the stress and strain on my poor arthritic knees, but I don't feel the difference. I guess I just have to be persistent in it for a lot longer. I'm also trying to do about half an hour or so of pilates every two or so days. It's hard with the Little Monkey, so I have to schedule around his naps and when people are here. It's easy to make excuses when there are real reasons to not get active, but I'm working on it. We'll see how I keep it up :)
I'm also trying to take better care of myself spiritually. This also is coming in a few different forms. I've started listening to John Piper's sermons about 4 times a week. They have been super encouraging, and God has been using them to bolster up my spirit in the hard times, my husband and I are finding ourselves in. A common theme has been "You accomplish more than you see." That phrase alone means so much! We have been working so hard on building up a place for ourselves. So far, what we have done seems to be crashing down around us. It's been hard to have friendships dissolve and other new relationships fizzle. We are persevering, but it is taking all that we are to do so. When Mr. Piper explains God's perspective instead of our own, it really encourages me!
Another way I've been working on taking better care of myself spiritually is to be reading a non-fiction Christian book every month. So far, I'm in the middle of The Discipline of Grace, by Gerald Bridges. It's also been a wonderful reminder of what God has done for me, and how I am okay in Him no matter what I do or don't do.
Emotionally - I'm not exactly sure how to go about taking better care of myself here. I'm not saying I am perfect here, but simply that I do not know how to go about it. I have a few ideas, like journaling more, or taking time to just be alone with no distractions. I feel like the best way to improve my emotional health is to gain a bosom friend who lives in close proximity.
Academically- I've been working on writing a novel. I would like to finish it this year. I'm also trying to read a classic novel, or something that is challenging to read a month. Or, if it takes shorter than that, as much as I can fit in. I would like to keep my mind active and not lose vocabulary.
Creatively - I'm trying to start a craft group for newer English speakers where they can practice conversation skills. It's also a place to learn a new craft, or pursue one that is already know. I'm hoping to hone some of the skills I have and possibly learn some new things too!
So, these are my efforts, hopefully they will last all year.
as always, SDG
