Good morning!
It is good, isn't it? I love that throughout this course, Crystal reminds us that her goal in this course isn't just to make you get out of bed. Her goal is, "To approach life with more purpose and intention." I find it amazing that this course has been dead on for my goals for 2017. I'm so thankful that when I asked God to lead me to the tools that could make that happen, he lead me in this direction. I believe with all of my heart that this was the first step in becoming more intentional about so many parts of my life. I believe that when I prayed and asked for his guidance, then when I asked for the peace about spending money on this that he was able to give it to me. That he spoke to my heart the importance of this first step in the big picture. I know that the hours that taking this course has added to my life in the mornings will be game-changers. I absolutely believe that with all of me. Crystal reminds us today to think about these things... "Will this matter in 25 years from now? How will this better enable me to do what God has created me to do?" It will matter. A lot. An extra two hours a day for 25 years? That's an extra 18,250 hours. That breaks down to an extra 760 days. That's a lot of extra time over 25 years! That's a lot of time to dedicate to growing in Christ, to caring for myself physically and spiritually. That's a lot of time to get a lot of things done by the time I'm 58. Much better than knowing I've spent that much time sleeping in for the past ten years or so.. I shudder to think!
The best part about mornings? That would be who I spend them with....
Hudson and Sawyer, gathered in front of a window, surrounded by legos! Yes, this is a beautiful life, yes, I am thankful, and yes, I am glad that I choose these kind of quiet mornings!
Today Crystal just encouraged me to stick it out! This course has been wonderful and amazing and helped to hold me accountable each morning, but she just encourages to stick with it. Also, something she hasn't mentioned before is that you should stick with a routine for 21 days before you change it up and tweak it. I haven't really thought of that prior to her suggestion. Actually I've spent a great deal of time changing it up and tweaking it, and not enough time just resting in it. I welcome the challenge now to set a specific set of goals and do them exactly the same for 21 days. I'm excited about that!
There is a part of me that is glad that I am all the way through the course. The reason is that one of my goals that I found was to make my mornings more quiet and less connected. I do enjoy the morning videos. I look forward to them and they keep me accountable, but I am looking forward to the mornings without the video or my computer in front of me.One extra mile I took today to keep me accountable was to print out the actual workbook pages to keep in my planner. Not the lessons, but the sheets. I intend to go through them during my daily study time and work on them, to help solidify what I've learned during this time. I did do the workpages on notebook pages, but this gives me something graphic and fun to work on while I'm not watching the videos. It will hold me accountable. I'm so thankful for this course, have I mentioned that yet?
Another thing I'm proud of myself for during over the duration of this course, (which has actually taken me 18 days instead of 14, but that's not so bad!) is that I've also finished the two books that I started along with this course.
The first was The Early to Rise Experience by Andy Traub. I've listed several quotes from this book and I've really enjoyed reading it! Today I read about Reactors vs Creators. There are two choices we make everyday, we make the choice rather to react or to create. Reactors wait on people to talk to them, to initiate conversation. These are the people waiting for something to come to their mailbox, checking facebook over and over again- waiting for someone to say something they can react too. Then there are creators. These people reach out. I have been a reactor my entire life... responding as best as possible to the things that came my way. My introverted nature makes me obviously drawn to being a reactor. However, lately I've started to creep over into creator territory. Writing even if there's no response to my writings. Sending letters that I'm not sure will be responded. Making it a point to reach out and tell somebody hi, to text people who I don't speak too on a regular basis. Making connections and just trying, again and again. It's really changed my attitude! I can't say that its been groundbreaking or I've inspired someone or anything such as that, but its been really nice to not feel so insecure. It's been great to be who I am, even though sometimes it makes me feel silly. I was once extremely apprehensive about what I wrote on this blog- and here I am, welcoming people into my heart and into my home. Parts of me still think that I really just need to go into hiding- but then the creator part of me says no.. welcome them in. Just because they don't say it doesn't mean you aren't inspiring them. And think of those who have responded? If just one person took back their mornings and it changed even a small part of their lives, wouldn't it be worth it? I think so at least!
Also, an important reminder was that you should change one habit at a time to introduce. Rather than trying to change everything at once, do it slowly. Once it becomes a habit, like if you miss it, it feels something like forgetting to brush your teeth, then you are ready to introduce something new. That is the hardest thing for me! I seem to want to change everything all at once, and time and time again God is showing me that real change takes time. I need to use bite-sized goals and take baby steps, and change.. over time.
Another book that I read during the course of this couple of weeks was recommended by Crystal Paine, it was What Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam. I have also really enjoyed this book, and it is also a quick and easy read. Today she reminded me the great things about mornings is, "they always feel like a new change to do things right!" And she's right! Each new morning brings a new chance.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. -Psalm 143:8
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. -Psalm 30:5
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. -Psalm 5:3
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. -Psalm 130:6
It's been a great two weeks, and a life changing one at that! I'm so thankful for this refreshing beginning to a new year, and I'm so excited to see what the rest of the year will bring!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment