Me? Made the bed. I was never a bed-maker in the past. I just figured, why; I'm going to crawl right back in there tonight. Then I saw this:
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgzLzbd-zT4 |
I feel a strange sense of accomplishment making my bed first thing - shoulder aching from sleeping wrong (it's an old football thing), in desperate need of coffee and the bathroom (it's an old thing).
It's kind of funny: I never really know where a post is headed when I begin to write. This one began as a Back-to-it (more on that in a minute). It started out as a devotional thought on Matthew chapter seven; which I'll get-back-to as soon as this is wrapped.
That said, while I was at the gym I began thinking about resolutions. Studies show that gyms across the country will be overcrowded for about 15 days. That's right, most resolutions last until January 15th. I'm no expert, but I think there are a few reasons for this. First, we make unbending resolutions with no room for self-grace. We say, "I will never...," or "I will always..." And at the first failure we are defeated. Secondly, we don't explore underlying beliefs and behaviors that act as self-made booby-traps lying in wait to blow up our new energy and momentum. And thirdly, we naively think change comes quickly. We miss the joy in the journey toward the goal. (In many ways, the journey is, in fact, the goal.)
So, at risk of running on too long with the post - and in no small part, with the help of the likes of Andy Stanley and Tony Robbins, here are a couple resolution thoughts I am applying:
- First things first. Make your bed! It's more than that actually. First things first means that I need to major on the majors and let the minors take care of themselves. It means having priorities not only through lip-service, but action.
- My direction determines my destination. I cannot change my destination in one day, but I can certainly change my direction NOW. And the direction on which I set out will determine my journey's destination.
- Back-to-its. There are practices in my life that I must get back to. These practices are first things first and directional. And therefore, musts and not shoulds.
- Musts over shoulds. Shoulds last until January 15. Musts drive us. Musts mold us. Musts write our story.
- Offer grace (to me). I am pretty good at extending grace to others. Not always so with self-grace. I'm cutting down on the I will nevers and I will always. Even so, I will fail. I will fall. And I will be gracious to myself. I will get up. I will continue on the journey.
- I hold the pen. My story is over half-written at this point. And though I have been formed by the words penned in the story of me, I am not destined to continue in the same narrative. The rest of my story is blank pages. And I hold the pen. (As a man of faith, I am in no way discounting God's hand. As a matter of fact, I will choose today whether to follow my understanding of his direction.) My point is, the words already written in the story of our lives does not determine the words yet to come. Today I have the opportunity to write with creativity and love what my story will be.
Oh - And I made my bed.
For now...
D
