OK – Monday was majorly enlightening. I had to go to the mall to pick up some See’s candy (the downside? It was a gift for someone else.) and help Roger pick out some new glasses. (I have a total Danny Gokey of American Idol fixation when it came to glasses, and Roger and I have an agreement about picking out frames. As we are the people who have to look at our husband/wife the most, we get to help with the buying decision.)
I had some time to kill, and money burning a hole in my pocket. This happens about as often as I wake up and say to myself, “Wow, this feels like a great morning for a hike.”
You see, my good friend and amazing speaker, Cheri Gregory gave me a sweet gift: $150 in Visa gift cards. Nice friend, huh? I spent $50 taking Roger out to dinner (before the 30 day challenge), but the other $100 was right there, in my wallet, waiting to be spent.
Now I could have spent it at Target on the light bulbs we needed, or a new shower curtain for the kid’s bathroom, but really? I wanted to spend it just on me.
So I wandered the mall, and tried to think of something that I really, really wanted.
Nothing.
I have to tell you, that is so not like me.
Usually at the end of a chaotic work day, I feel like I deserve to go out to dinner. And, if we happen to be at the mall, then I can always find a reason to hit Macys or Bare Essentials or something.
But Monday? I had spent the day working, yes, but also reading all of your great comments, and taking very good care of myself. I spent time in the morning praying, watering my garden, reading and such. I took lots of breaks from work to read your posts, and looking forward to seeing some friends that evening.
And that was enough. Retail therapy not required.
Part of this 30 Day challenge is to find out what enough is for me. Yes, some of that has been making sure that I work hard to be able to continue to do what I love. But part of it is the realization that I don’t need to reward myself with a dinner out 4x a week. What if my daily life was reward enough? What if, doing what I believe God has designed me to do, serving others, learning to love Him, working to love my family better, being a part of a community, was enough?
I want to be more purposeful in my living – physically, emotionally and spiritually – and part of that is slowing down and taking very good care of myself.
So here are 10 things I am doing this week to do just that:
- Planning a week of healthy menus that also taste amazing (fingers crossed)
- Reading an excerpt of Praying God’s Word by Beth Moore
- Reading a book for 20 minutes that has nothing to do with my work. (This week’s book? Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell)
- Walking to the lake and back
- Praying at 1:00 (I have a timer on my cell phone that reminds me to stop and pray)
- Slicing up a flat of strawberries
- Sending the See’s candy to a friend of mine in Atlanta (yes, this does make me happy.)
- Taking my computer out to our back patio to write
- Researching herb gardens online
- Talking with my friend Angela
I used to think that I didn’t have any time to take care of myself, but everything I have listed here (excluding writing on the back patio – which is part of my workday,) takes less time than an episode of couple episodes of Oprah.
I know most of you would (like me,) will have a hard time coming up with 10 things, soooo…
Here is my question for you: What is ONE thing you are going to do to take care of yourself today? Commit it here – commit it loud and allow us to hold you accountable.
“Wow, this feels like a great morning for a hike.”
AHHHH HAHAhAHAHAHAHA
How much do I love all of you – my bloggy friends. You are all so inspiring!
Comment # 2…..I am really appreciating this blog ! It starts my day off on the right track. Along with my first cup of coffee…from home, not Starbucks…I check out Kathi’s thoughts for the day ! 🙂
I am going to the gym….after begin JIm to let me join ! Also eating healthy ! And practicing being happy…seeing the glass as 1/2 full…but this I always have done ! I’m Pollyanna ! lol
And I am going to TELL my husband what I appreciate that he does…instead of just thinking it !
Today I am going to be thankful for my husband. Even though he is a gazillion miles away, he was there for me in my mind when I had to be at the ER with his mother until the wee hours this morning. And he was there for me in reality when we talked on the phone today. And yes, that is doing something for me, because otherwise I would probably be annoyed with him for actually being a gazillion miles away! Other than that, I think I’ll just use your list – I really like it, and I’m too tired to think of anything else. What happened to the days of getting no sleep, and still functioning the next day?
I TOLD you a new book could come out of this 30 day thing. I did something to take care of myself yesterday. I’ve been having back trouble so I went and had a massage. The lower back part was medicinal, but I went for the full body “just because.” I rarely do that. It was a nice breather. And today the house is emptier than usual so I am cranking up the volume on the music that speaks to my soul. Put your hands up!
This is exactly what I needed to read today. I spend all day doing for others. I keep 9 children in my home daily as a daycare. This includes my own 2 yr old. I have always been satisfied with this job that only has thank you’s in hugs and kisses from little ones,until recently, when I have had a really troubled child. I have aganozied over what to do with him. Today I am going to take the time to pray for myself to have the strength to make it through this day and to help this child the best way I know how.
Today I’m actually eating a real-live, healthy lunch, and even stopping in the middle of it to take my meds. There are way too many days that go by without my medicine because I don’t take the time to sit down and eat a real meal that I can take my medicine with. Here’s to a healthier me – in so many ways.
Today I will forget about the dishes, and the laundry and take time for my 2 boys. Espically my 2 yr old. I always seem to be telling him “just a minute, mommy will be right there…”
What a profound thought – “what if my life was enough reward for me?” Today I will take time to snuggle with each of my three kids. Something I really enjoy doing, but don’t always find or make time to do. It’s good for them AND for me. Thanks!
Today I will appreciate what I have, eat sensibly, and thank the Lord for every precious day I have to live. A special prayer today to all you wonderful ladies and to Kathi for keeping us on track!!!!!!!
Love to you all.
Isn’t it funny when we have money that is burning a hole in our pockets we can never find or know what to buy. Then when we don’t we find things we want.