I rolled my eyes at this book the first time I saw it.  I put the book into the category of Joel Osteen lies (is that too harsh?) and expected it to be ignorant promises made to that naive niche of Christians that thrives on prosperity-theology.

However, there’s a developing theme to this blog: I misjudged.  Note the subtitle: spiritual disciplines for ordinary people.  I’m ordinary.  We all are, and we all need discipline. So, I read on.

This semester has, at times, been overwhelming and the only way to characterize it is living in a state of rush.  I planned activities so close together that even teleporting wouldn’t have made it possible.  Any delay sent panic through my being, aggravating frustration, and the whole time I was always right and everyone else was wrong.  With the help of the this book, some honest friends, and conviction, I‘ve begun to see this simple truth: I have 24 hours just like everyone else.  Rest, my friends, is a spiritual discipline.

After a week of practice, here are some changes I’ve made that have revolutionized my world.

1. By saying no, I’ve allowed my mind to live in the present instead of constantly planning how I was going to overcome the impossible.  Taking out even activities I want to do has allowed me to enjoy the activities I actually do.  If eating out with friends is going to take too long, I stay home.  My day’s arbitrary tasks can go unmet and the world still turns.  This simple act (which is an age-old piece of advice) has allowed me to be a better listener and be more patient on the phone (and actually answer it). When my schedule was packed, my mind was muddled.

It’s like how your computer runs faster without 10 trillion (deficit, yeah?) windows open.  Close those babies.  Apple key Q. Gone.

2.  Exercise, and if possible, in the morning.  When my body is intentionally strained, it feels accomplished.  My mind is alert and I am not nearly as dependent on coffee.  Coffee Consumption was in need of intervention.

3.  White Noise.  I just learned what this was– it’s a steady noise that acts as an active noise cancellation.  It allows me to feel like I’m in a silent room when I’m not.  My roommates music is loud, but my room is silent.  Check it out.

4.  Read.  My classes are heavy reading.  For my ethics class, our assignments are analytical and philosophical and for writing, I often lose sight of content because I’m so focused on style.  By reading for mere entertainment, my mind is set free.  Plus, reading motivates and energizes me.

5. Pray.  This has been my anthem this semester, and yet, I am “prone to wander Lord I feel it.”  Whenever I move from the momentary physical world and begin to talk to an eternal omni-present God, focuses change.  They have to.

Tonight I walked to dinner, played catch until my hands burned, walked to the bank, mailed a letter, and ate frozen yogurt with gummy worms.  Do you know what the best part was? I wasn’t in a rush so I actually enjoyed it.

P.S. The Mrs. Susan Gear came home today.  Bothwell missed her.